Course Objectives for Psychology 43 Group Dynamics

Expand upon knowledge of oneself

$                   List personal strengths and weaknesses

$                   Describe how past events may influence your perceptions of current events

$                   Identify your personal role in your life circumstances

$                   Identify and explain your feelings about a variety of issues

$                   Build a vocabulary for your feelings

$                   Identify personal goals and develop a course of action to obtain these goals

$                   Identify in concrete terms your personal value system

$                   Identify patterns of self-talk

$                   Develop a personal method to deal with fears, anxieties, anger and sadness

$                   Identify repetitive patterns in your emotional life

Development of Social Skills

$                   Identify body language cues of others

$                   Demonstrate the ability to verbalize your personal feelings in a group  setting

$                   Identify methods for escalating and de-escalating conflict

$                   Demonstrate the ability to listen to and acknowledge viewpoints that are different from your own

$                   Identify and demonstrate the characteristics of a good listener 

$                   Demonstrate self control

$                   Demonstrate appropriate self-disclosure

$                   Demonstrate the ability to size up interpersonal situations and plan appropriate actions

$                   Demonstrate the ability to state your concerns without anger or passivity.

$                   Demonstrate the ability to communicate non-verbally (eye contact, facial expression, tone of voice,         gestures

$                   demonstrate the ability to communicate verbally (clear requests, responding effectively to criticism,         resisting negative influences, listening to others and helping others)

$                   Build a vocabulary for your feelings

Group Dynamics

$                   List and define variables that affect group dynamics

Due to the objectives and the experiential nature of this class, there is no textbook and no written subjective tests.  Your grade will be determined on a pass/ fail basis by class participation.  Homework assignments may include personal assignments that will be discussed in class.  Class will entail many different open group discussions and structured games to develop the objectives listed above. You are expected to participate in all group sessions.  All class sessions will be confidential.  I hope your experience in Psych 43 is a positive and insightful one.  Please feel free to contact me via office hours or e-mail at sweetmab@email.lacc.cc.ca.us or amysweetman@earthlink.net at any time if you have concerns.