Group Cohesiveness Techniques

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How can a counselor use the techniques from an Adlerian approach to maximize group cohesiveness in the early stages of group development?

Adler posited that human beings create goals, immediate and long term that motivate behaviors and development. According to Adler, these goals guide a person's movement into self-actualization and sometimes perfection. Further, goal formation begins early in life (ages 5 or 6); Adler asserted that a few people and situations influence the development of goals and movements. Thus, the Adlerian approach emphasized these goals and/or motivations as a perfect foundation for group work. For instance, according to Adler, the aim of group counseling is not to create a change in personality, but to focus on on immediate situations, and self-concept and motivations. As an example, based on the Alderman approach to group counseling, behavioral change occurs is related to patterns of the group' goals.

The theory behind Alderman group therapy is based on his individual psychology that emphasizes holism. The concept of holism in individual psychology was designed to designate the"indivisibility" of the individual. Thus as it applies to group cohesiveness, when human life is viewed holistically," an individual's behavior never becomes more important the group" (p. 219). While recognizing that individuals have thinking processes, feelings and emotions, behavioral patterns, traits, and/or characteristics, according to Adler, there is a person who is more than the sum of all personality dimensions. Therefore, groups are characterized by efforts to reorient faulty living patterns, and instill a better understanding ...