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Some ethical dilemmas in sensitivity training, encounter groups and related activities
Author(s) -
BRAATEN LEIF J.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1467-9450
pISSN - 0036-5564
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9450.1979.tb00687.x
Subject(s) - psychology , cognitive dissonance , social psychology , competence (human resources) , personality , confidentiality , law , political science
Some ethical dilemmas in connection with sensitivity training, encounter groups and related activities are discussed. We distinguished between pre‐group, in‐group and post‐group dilemmas. Pre‐group dilemmas consisted of competence of leader, screening of participants, contract, voluntary participation, conflicting roles, organization of group work and conducting of research. In‐group dilemmas were optimum level of awareness, leadership style and personality, image of man, issue of “casualties”, confidentiality and freedom to make errors. Post‐group dilemmas included “re‐entry” difficulties, repression of changing individuals and follow‐up procedures. Conclusions were as follows: ( a ) There exist indeed a series of ethical dilemmas in conducting growth groups. ( b ) The good group leader must learn to live with this seemingly chronic ethical dissonance. ( c ) The one most significant ethical guideline is to establish the optimum level of awareness in the group. ( d ) There is a pressing need for more adequate research on such ethical dilemmas.