The Psychology of Groups The Intersection of Social Psychology and Psychotherapy Research

This book synthesizes research on groups from the fields of social psychology and clinical psychology and encourages collaboration among group researchers. 
 Researchers in group psychology and group psychotherapy rarely consider each other’s work, despite their clear areas of common interest. This book demonstrates how these separate but related lines of research can be used to inform and enrich each other.

Led by two past presidents of APA’s Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy, this book features expert contributors who examine the interface between social or organizational research on groups and clinical research, as well as the application of findings in each area. They reveal that different kinds of groups are far more similar than they are different, and illustrate how group psychology as a line of inquiry and practice benefits from improved dialogue among its domains.

For example, there is growing literature on how individual personality factors such as attachment can affect group processes and outcomes in group psychotherapy. Similarly, research on expectations of social inclusion and ostracism in groups has a long history in social psychology, and there is great potential for these areas of inquiry to inform future research in both clinical and social contexts. 

Craig Parks, PhD, is Vice Provost for System Innovation and Policy and Professor of Psychology at Washington State University. He is a former president of APA Division 49 (Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy) and former editor of Group Dynamics. His areas of expertise are human cooperation and group decision making, with a particular interest in the roles of personal traits, social comparison, and information processing in cooperative choice. He lives in Pullman, Washington.

Giorgio A. Tasca, PhD, is a full-time professor in the School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Canada, and director of the Psychotherapy Practice Research Network (www.PPRNet.ca). He is past president of the Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy, a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, and Editor of Group Dynamics. Dr. Tasca teaches at l’universita degli studi di Bergamo, and is Scientific Director of la Scuola Psicoterapia Integrata in Bergamo, Italy. He conducted several randomized controlled trials of group psychotherapy and published on advanced statistical modeling for group research. He lives in Ottawa, Canada. Visit www.gtasca.ca and follow @giorgiotasca.

 

Contributors

Introduction: Groups as Vehicles for Change, Growth, and Productivity
Craig D. Parks and Giorgio A. Tasca
Definitions
Group Psychology Research Versus Group Psychotherapy Research
Intergroup Versus Intragroup Research
Research Versus Practice
Organization of the Book
1. A Review of Research Synergies (and Lack Thereof) Between Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy
Craig D. Parks
Experimental Group Research Versus Group Practice Research
Human Potential Movement
Group Practice Research Versus the Practice of Groups
Conclusion
I. GROUP PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH: IMPLICATIONS FOR GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY
2. Inclusion, Exclusion, and Group Psychotherapy: The Importance of a Trauma-Informed Approach
Eric D. Wesselmann and Leandra Parris
A Brief Tour of Social Exclusion Research
Key Unresolved Questions in Social Exclusion Research
Treatment of Social Exclusion as a Form of Trauma
Trauma-Informed Group Psychotherapy
Conclusion
3. Composition and Compilation: A Selective Review and Applications to Therapy Groups
Michael R. Baumann and James C. Deller
Overview of Composition and Compilation Processes
Group Therapy
Composition and Compilation in Information Sharing and Group Performance
Composition and Compilation in Cohesion and Intragroup Conflict
Empirical Gaps and Emerging Trends
Composition, Compilation, and Group Therapy
Conclusion
4. Principles of Cooperation: Implications for Group Psychotherapy
Craig D. Parks
Norms of Cooperation
Group Identification
Morality
Personality and Individual Difference Traits
Extensions to Therapy Groups
Conclusion
5. Social Influence Theory and Research: Implications for Group Psychotherapy
Donelson R. Forsyth
Social Influence in Groups
Implications for Practice
Implications for Research
Conclusion
6. The New Psychology of Leadership: Informing Clinical Practice
Michael J. Platow, S. Alexander Haslam, Stephen D. Reicher, Diana M. Grace, and Tegan Cruwys
Traditional Understandings of Leadership
New Psychology of Leadership and the Psychology of Group Memberships
Clinical Practice and the New Psychology of Leadership
Three Factors Informing Future Research
Conclusion
7. Group Influences in Sports and Exercise Settings: Applications to Therapy Groups
Kevin S. Spink
Unique Characteristics of the Sports and Exercise Setting
Group Composition
Group Structure
Conclusion
II. GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY RESEARCH: IMPLICATIONS FOR GROUP PSYCHOLOGY
8. Attachment and Group Psychotherapy: Applications to Work Groups and Teams
Giorgio A. Tasca and Hilary Maxwell
Overview of Attachment Theory
Reflective Functioning
Attachment Theory and Group Therapy Research
Attachment and Research on Work Groups and Teams
Recommendations for Practitioners in Nontherapy Contexts
Directions for Future Research
Conclusion
9. Group Cohesion: Empirical Evidence From Group Psychotherapy for Those Studying Other Areas of Group Work
Cheri L. Marmarosh and Amy Sproul
Defining Cohesion
Empirically Identifying Factors Contributing to Cohesion
Group Cohesion: Treatment Process and Outcome
Immature and Mature Cohesion
Leader Factors That Lead to Mature Group Cohesion
Group Psychotherapy: Methods Used to Assess Cohesion
Applications to Other Areas of Group Work
10. Mutual Influence in Group Psychotherapy: A Review and Application to Group Psychology
D. Martin Kivlighan, III, and Rayna C. Narvaez
Mutual Influence Defined
Actor–Partner Interdependence Model
Application of the APIM to Study Mutual Influence
Key Unresolved Questions and Future Directions
Implications for Group Psychology Research
Implications for Group Psychology Practice
Conclusion
11. Forgiveness and Group Therapy: Current Research and Implications for Group Psychology Research and Practice
Nathaniel G. Wade and Meredith V. Tittler
Forgiveness Defined
The Reach of Forgiveness Research
Current Literature on Forgiveness in Group Therapy
Future Directions for Group Psychotherapy and Group Psychology
Considerations and Concerns for Group Psychology Research and Practice on Forgiveness
Conclusion
12. Group Therapy Development: Implications for Nontherapy Groups
John S. Ogrodniczuk, Joanna Cheek, and David Kealy
Group Development Models
Moving Through Stages of Group Development
Research Related to Group Development
Unresolved Issues in Group Development Research
Implications of Group Development for Nontherapy Groups
Conclusion
13. Change Processes of Interpersonal Functioning in Group Therapy: Implications for Team Functioning
Martyn Whittingham
Psychotherapy and the Variance-Explained Model
Interpersonal Theory
Change and Interpersonal Theory
Interactions Between Group Therapy Factors
Interpersonal Change Processes
Theories of Change and Interpersonal Psychotherapies
Treatment Approaches
Applying Interpersonal Theory to Sports Teams
Interpersonal Theory and Military Settings
Interpersonal Theory and Educational Settings
Future Directions

Afterword: Conclusions and Ways Forward for Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy Research
Craig D. Parks and Giorgio A. Tasca
Cohesion Is Critical
Leaders Have Intricate Effects on the Group
Attachment Is Distinct From Cohesion
Conclusion

Index
About the Editors