Symbolization of experience in the process of group development

Trusting the process? Anxiety-provoking situations as challenges to the symbolization and processing of experience in person-centered groups

“…He believes members will attempt to symbolize their experience, trying to find ways to understand what is happening both within and between them which can be collectively shared, talked about, thought about and understood, albeit that there will always be a degree to which the group's symbolizations will not exactly match the experiencing of each individual member. Lewis (1985) takes a similar position, arguing that members must collectively symbolize their shared experiences in and of the group before they will be able to progress through the stages of group development: "At the group level, members must come together in turning their attention toward an aspect of their experience together.…”

Comparison of the systems of analysis: Concepts and theory.

“…The Experiencing Scale assesses an individual member's selfexploration and a therapist's or fellow member's response to that exploration (Klein et al, 1986). Here, the scales have been applied to the study of group development, in which the scale has been found to be helpful in identifying fluctuating levels in the member's awareness, understanding, and articulation of group-level issues both individually and collectively (Lewis, 1985).…”

The Group Development Process Analysis Measures.

“…The two variables together identify periods when group members address interaction within the group in a highly personal manner and try to understand its meaning. These periods identify the integration of a shared understanding of an aspect of group process, which may facilitate further work (Lewis, 1985a).…”