The emotional dynamics of a group during a challenge course experience

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore a new framework for understanding group dynamics during a challenge course experience. Traditional views of group dynamics emphasize sequential stages of development, but these frameworks tend to neglect the emotional aspect of group dynamics. The group process usually includes an emotional experience, and assessing the emotional dynamics may provide researchers with another variable to assess what is happening within the group context. Challenge course experiences are structured to induce specific group emotions by the choice and sequence of initiatives to enhance development and cohesiveness. Utilizing a Bales-type of interaction analysis, the emotional behaviours of a group during a complete challenge course experience were assessed. Of the seven emotional categories investigated, avoidant or evasive verbal behaviors (flight) were the most common category followed by verbal behaviors that expressed reliance or desire for leadership (dependency), and also verbal behaviors that rejected current leadership (counterdependency). More in-depth descriptive research is needed to understand how groups respond emotionally to challenge course initiatives.

Keywords:

• Interaction Analysis
• Emontionality
• Group Development
• Group Functioning
• Facilitator

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to give special thanks to the anonymous editors for their valuable contribution and guidance on the development of this paper.

Notes

1. A group is defined as three or more individuals interacting in the pursuit of a common goal in such a way that they are interdependent and can distinguish this group from other groups in which each individual is valued for their contribution (Bion, 1961).