Journal of Education and Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the developmental processes in a structured growth group and an unstructured growth group. Both groups were led by Ph. D. students in the Department of Guidance and Counseling. The differences of developmental processes between the structured and unstructured groups are compared. The major findings are described as follows.

1. In the developmental processes for the structured growth group, both of the Dependency and Counterdependency statements occurred in the initial stage, Fight statements more frequently at the second and ending stages, and Flight statements more frequently in the latter stages. The occurrence of Flight and Work statements shows an opposite trend. The proportion of Pairing statements was high across the sessions, whereas Counterpairing was low. A higher percentage of Work statements was observed near the end of the group process.
2. In the developmental processes for the unstructured group, both of the Dependency and Counterdependency statements also occurred in the initial stage. Fight statements were found more frequently at the first and the fourth stages. Flight statements were constantly found across sessions. The occurrence of Pairing statements was high, whereas Counterpairing statements was low. Work statements maintained a steady proportion near the end of the group process.
3. Essentially there is no significant difference in the developmental processes between the structured and unstructured groups. Their developmental patterns are very similar in each type of verbal statement. The unstructured group enters the work stage earlier than the structured group, and recurs to the previous stage. The structured group is slower when entering the work stage, but is stable to the end. Moreover, the structured group has a higher frequency of work statement than the unstructured group.
4. In the developmental processes of a group, each type of verbal statement could simultaneously occur but with variation of frequency, rate or timing. It could also recur to the previous stage.

_{[Chinese Version | Index | Journal of Education and Psychology | Other Journals | Subscription form | Enquiry ]}

Mail any comments and suggestions to hkier-journal@cuhk.edu.hk .