The power of group model building
A micro level analysis of social interaction during group model building
Dr. Inge Bleijenbergh
Dr. Pleun van Arensbergen
Monic Lansu MSc MA
Prof. Dr. Etienne Rouwette
Radboud University Nijmegen &,
nine
The method of Group Model Building
SE os ¢ Participatory intervention method
¢ Structuring complex problems
25;
bs
63 ¢ Involving stakeholders & experts
GMB starting point: equivalence between stakeholders
Literature: power affects communication
Focus on legitimate power and GMB process
How do interaction activities differ between actors in GMB sessions, particularly
between actors varying in legitimate power?
Radboud University Nijmegen @
Methodology
Real GMB intervention on gender equality at Science faculty of Dutch university
(2014)
2 sessions of 4 hours each
¢ 11 participants (6 men and 5 women)
Audiotapes fully transcribed and coded according to Bales’ Interaction Process Analysis
|. Task directed anwers
ll. Task directed questions
Ill. Positive social emotional reactions
IV. Negative social emotional reactions
Radboud University Nijmegen &
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Results: group behavior over time
Three phases: divergence, convergence and implementation
60
%
50
10 caw e eww ene Fe
oe ieee
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Divergence Convergence Implementation
==®— = Social-emotional: positive <=@®== Task: answers
= @ = Sodal-emotional: negative = @ = Task: questions
Radboud University Nijmegen &
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Results: (in)formal roles
Si * much clarification & restating
* many questions ¢ Strong focus on providing
facilitator * little negative soc-em content information _
* Less involved in group process
oriented
S * strongly oriented towards
ee SOEIa! [Pronees ' * evenly strong focus on
oriented * relatively many questions goal content (information)
oriented & group coherence (positive
soc-em)
<a
¢ focus on position in group
group * few questions and answers W Social-emotional: positive
oriented @ Task: answers
@ Task: questions
@ Social-emotional: negative
Results: power differences
Mann-Whitney test:
no significant differences between high and low legitmate power for any type
of social interaction
Radboud University Nijmegen e.
Conclusions & Discussion
GMB process involves more social-emotional behavior than overall group
interaction
Confirmation GMB theory: fcilitator has attitude of inquiry, helping attitude, is
neutral and has skills to build consensus and commitment
GMB scripts allow participants room for variation in their contribution to the
group interaction, as shown by typology of informal roles
Confirmation of equalizing effect of group model building
Scripts influence social interaction and may facilitate power leveling
Radboud University Nijmegen e.
