Deck 12: Leading the Middle Stage of a Group

Question 1

MATCHING: Please match the situations described below with the most appropriate skill for leading during the middle stages of a group.
Skills used during the middle stages of a group;
A. Changing leadership style
B. Changing group structure
C. Introducing new topics
D. Using outside assignments
E. Using progress reports
F. Using voice
G. Varying the format
One member shared some deep and personal information during the last session. The leader
takes five minutes to check in with him
at the beginning of this session.

Answer 1

E

Question 2

MATCHING: Please match the situations described below with the most appropriate skill for leading during the middle stages of a group.
Skills used during the middle stages of a group;
A. Changing leadership style
B. Changing group structure
C. Introducing new topics
D. Using outside assignments
E. Using progress reports
F. Using voice
G. Varying the format
In a "starting over" group for divorced clients
dealing with anger, ex-partners, and children have
already been thoroughly discussed. The leader states
"Another topic of interest is meeting new people and dating.
Let's spend some time talking about how to meet new people."

Answer 2

C

Question 3

If the leader changes group size, composition, or meeting times, she is most likely making modification to the _________________of the group members.

Answer 3

structure, set-up (or similar term)

Question 4

Which of the following is TRUE about leading the middle stage of a group?

A) Finishing an activity is more important than processing it
B) Backup plans are not needed if the leader plans one good activity
C) The majority of group time should be spent in the working phase
D) The leader should focus extensively on one member of the group

Question 5

MATCHING: Please match the situations described below with the most appropriate skill for leading during the middle stages of a group.
Skills used during the middle stages of a group;
A. Changing leadership style
B. Changing group structure
C. Introducing new topics
D. Using outside assignments
E. Using progress reports
F. Using voice
G. Varying the format
After each session, the leader asks members
to do something related to what they have
discussed in group and report back on it
the following week.

Question 6

Not allowing members to have enough input in the group is an example of the mistake of ____________________.

Question 7

If MOST of the members of the group have lost interest in the group, the authors recommend that the leader do each of the following EXCEPT

A) raising the issue for discussion in the group.
B) deciding the group has served its purpose and ending the group.
C) giving uncommitted members permission to drop out of the group.
D) changing the format of the group to generate interest in and commitment to the group.

Question 8

MATCHING: Please match the situations described below with the most appropriate skill for leading during the middle stages of a group.
Skills used during the middle stages of a group;
A. Changing leadership style
B. Changing group structure
C. Introducing new topics
D. Using outside assignments
E. Using progress reports
F. Using voice
G. Varying the format
A group in the middle stage has become quite cohesive.
The leader used to actively lead the discussions, but recently
has been encouraging the members to take more responsibility
for choosing topics, and drawing out and cutting off other members.

Question 9

When the leader's role is to help members generate options and make decisions, there is a good chance she is leading a _______________group.

Question 10

Which is FALSE about leading the middle stage of a group?

A) It is okay for the leader to plan only one exercise or activity.
B) It is okay for the leader to change the structure of the group.
C) It is okay for the leader to change his or her leadership style.
D) It is okay for the leader to invite an interesting speaker to talk to the group.

Question 11

To ensure that a topic, such as anger or guilt, is processed fully and meaningfully, the leader can create a topic _______________that includes key issues and exercises to use.

Question 12

Once a group is underway and has moved into the middle phase, the leader will want to continually assess the _______________of the group to the members.

Question 13

During the middle or working stage of a personal growth or counseling group, the leader will want to be aware of the level of _________members are feeling as more personal information is shared.

Question 14

If a leader believes a group that has reached the middle stage is not going well, he or she may need to make adjustments to their __________________style.

Question 15

When providing information and facilitating discussion about that information, the leader is likely to be leading an/a _____________________group.

Question 16

According to the authors, the purpose of discussions about religion is generally to

A) convert members to a particular religion.
B) change people's minds about how to practice religion.
C) make members think about how their beliefs can anger others.
D) help members feel comfortable with their own beliefs and behaviors.

Question 17

If one member is slow in understanding the content of a group session, the leader can do which of the following?

A) Explain the material to the member after the group
B) Ask another member to go to another part of the room and explain
C) Arrange for another member to meet with the confused member after group
D) All of the available choices

Question 18

MATCHING: Please match the situations described below with the most appropriate skill for leading during the middle stages of a group.
Skills used during the middle stages of a group;
A. Changing leadership style
B. Changing group structure
C. Introducing new topics
D. Using outside assignments
E. Using progress reports
F. Using voice
G. Varying the format
While the group has discussed many interesting
topics, it seems that some members have been
getting restless. The group leader proposes
that they try more exercises to serve the purpose
of the group instead of just talking about issues.

Question 19

A technique whereby the leader divides the group so that half of the members form an inner circle that discusses and idea or issue while the other half sits in an outer circle and listens, is called a ____________________.

Question 20

In order to maintain continuity from meeting to meeting, a leader may wish to start off each session with ____________reports from various members.

Question 21

In the working phase, it is important for leaders to

A) change the focus of the group if one session doesn't go well.
B) deepen the focus to a level that is meaningful for most or all of the members.
C) hold the focus on one member week after week because she seems to need help.
D) shift the focus continuously from member to member so more members can work.

Question 22

In planning the middle stages of the group, the leader should consider all of the following EXCEPT the

A) leader's needs.
B) group's purpose.
C) members' personalities.
D) all of the choices should be considered

Question 23

When leading a task group, the leader will want to be aware of the kind of influence members may have on one another as issues are discussed and decisions made.

Question 24

If during the middle stage of a group, the leader finds the level of trust to be low, she will want to focus on trust rather than trying to foster interest in a topic as a remedy.

Question 25

When a group member breaches confidentiality, the authors recommend that the leader do which of the following FIRST?

A) Consult with a colleague
B) Ask the group for their thoughts
C) Talk to the member who breached confidentiality
D) Dismiss the member for violation of the group's rules

Question 26

Before making changes in the structure of a group, that is, adding members, changing meeting times or frequency, the leader should discuss the proposed changes with the members.

Question 27

All of the following represent common mistakes made in middle sessions EXCEPT?

A) Moving group's focus to deeper, more meaningful content
B) Underleading or overleading the group
C) Allowing the warm-up phase of group to last too long
D) Focusing on only one or two group members

Question 28

Inexperienced leaders can make the mistake of not holding the focus long enough on any one topic that the discussion has impact.

Question 29

During the middle stage of an education group, it is important for the leader to shift from presenting information to processing and discussing that information so that the members have a chance to apply this information in their daily lives as appropriate.

Question 30

To help members to generate new ideas during the working stage, the authors recommend using which of the following techniques?

A) Brainstorming
B) The fishbowl
C) Guided fantasy
D) All of the available choices

Question 31

During the middle stage of a group, it is a poor idea for a leader to change his or her style, even if the group is not going well.

Question 32

When a group member breaches confidentiality out of anger, revenge, or idle gossip, before dismissing the member completely, the authors recommend that the leaders do all of the following EXCEPT

A) process the member's feelings with him.
B) turn the situation into a learning experience for him.
C) give the group the opportunity to admonish his actions before him.
D) none of the above-the authors recommend all of these

Question 33

During the middle stage of a group is a time for the leader to assess the members' levels of interest and commitment.

Question 34

_____13. To stimulate member thinking in the middle stages of group, the authors recommend the use of

A) exercises and activities
B) thought provoking questions
C) mini lecture
D) choices A & B

Question 35

According to the authors, what are the advantages of meeting with members individually
during the middle stages of group?

Question 36

The authors believe that there may be times during the middle stages of a group when it is helpful to meet with members individually to determine their reactions to the group.

Question 37

Why is it important for a group leader to assess the value of the group to its members during
the middle stages?

Question 38

To deepen the focus of the group and the level of commitment of members, the authors suggest all of the following EXCEPT

A) using a depth chart to illustrate the depth that the group is achieving.
B) changing his or her voice to elicit more serious comments from the members.
C) shifting the focus to a topic or activity designed to generate deeper discussion.
D) suggesting that the group take the topics and their participation more seriously.

Question 39

Once the leader has reached the middle stage of a group, it is not a good idea to screen out a member even if he or she is disruptive or uncooperative with the group process.

Question 40

The main reason to vary the format of a group significantly is when the leader determines that the members are bored or restless with what is happening in the group.

Question 41

How can leaders use different techniques to stimulate members' thoughts?

Question 42

How can making a topic outline be helpful to a group leader when he or she is spontaneously
presented with a new topic by the group?

Question 43

Describe some techniques a leader can use to help task group members to generate ideas and
options.