After completing this course, you should be able to explain and illustrate categ

After completing this course, you should be able to explain and illustrate categories of group dynamics and processes and demonstrate the ability to write clearly and effectively, using professional and empirical sources of information about groups and group processes. This discussion will promote both skills.
Recall that this module introduced you to the concept of power, which is always present in one form or another in a counseling relationship, but which can vary depending on client characteristics and whether the group is voluntary or involuntary. As your book indicates, power can take many forms and can be used to punish, reward, or influence people’s behaviors because of how they view the powerholder. This forum asks you to review a scenario and consider how to analyze the power dynamics in the situation.
To prepare for the forum, please review the discussion of French and Raven’s power typology in your book, watch the videos on French and Raven’s power typology, and then read the article on the typology in the Encyclopedia of Leadership. When you have reviewed all assigned sources, review the information below before posting to the forum.
Marianne is a licensed mental health counselor who is certified to conduct court-mandated therapy sessions for people who have been convicted of domestic violence. Marianne has five years of experience as a BIP (batterer’s intervention program) counselor, and before that, worked for the Department of Children and Families as an advocate for five years. Marianne knows that per Florida Statute 741.325, all BIPs must meet the following requirements:
(a) The primary purpose of the program shall be victim safety and the safety of children if present.
(b) The batterer shall be held accountable for acts of domestic violence.
(c) The program shall be at least 29 weeks in length and include 24 weekly sessions, plus appropriate intake, assessment, and orientation programming.
(d) The program content shall be based on a cognitive behavioral therapy model or psychoeducational model that addresses tactics of power and control by one person over another.
In addition, Florida’s administrative code states that (1) The program curriculum shall be based on an intervention model that recognizes domestic violence as the result of one person in an intimate relationship systematically using tactics of emotional and physical abuse in order to maintain power and control over the other. The curriculum shall incorporate the following elements:
(a) An educational approach that assigns responsibility for the violence solely to the batterer and provides a strategy for assisting the batterer in taking responsibility for the violence,
(b) Content that encourages the participant to develop critical thinking skills that will allow the participant to rethink their behavior and identify behavior choices other than violence,
(c) Content that supports the belief that domestic violence is primarily a learned behavior,
(d) Content that supports the belief that domestic violence is not provoked or the result of substance abuse,
(e) Content designed to improve the batterer’s ability to identify and articulate feelings,
(f) Content designed to improve communication skills and listening with empathy,
(g) Content designed to improve negotiation and conflict resolution skills,
(h) Content that challenges stereotypical gender role expectations,
(i) Content that includes strategies for helping the batterer to develop and improve support systems,
(j) Content that identifies the effects of distorted thinking on emotions and behavior,
(k) Content that identifies the effects of domestic violence on children, and
(l) Content that includes information on the relationship of substance abuse to domestic violence.
(2) The program curriculum shall not include the following elements:
(a) Content that includes couples, marriage or family therapy, or any manner of victim participation,
(b) Content that includes anger management techniques that identify anger as the cause of domestic violence,
(c) Content that includes theories or techniques that identify poor impulse control as the primary cause of the domestic violence or identify psychopathology on the part of either party as a primary cause of domestic violence,
(d) Content that includes fair fighting techniques, and
(e) Content that includes faith-based ideology associated with a particular religion or denomination.
The 15 members of her current group have all been convicted of domestic violence, and all were ordered to complete an intervention program, so they are not there by choice. Marianne has carefully explained the rules for participation and successful completion to all group members. She has also introduced information to the group relating to violence as learned behavior and has asked members to identify different ways to manage their emotions.
While none of the group members chose to be in the group, Marianne has noted that several members have begun to demonstrate some willingness to take personal responsibility for their behavior and their role in the relationship problems that led to their referral. Two group members have even asked her for more information about their communication skills and have thanked her for the information she has shared. However, one group member, Bob, has been particularly disruptive during each session. He came late to two sessions and tried to derail each session by challenging everything Marianne said. On two occasions, Marianne had to remind him that if he is discharged from the program for missing sessions and disrupting the ones he attends, he will be in violation of the terms of his probation.
During one of the sessions, Bob started yelling at Marianne when she explained that Bob could not require his ex-wife to attend the meetings with him. Marianne tried to refocus Bob by asking him to compose himself and focus on his emotions. She reminded him that he cannot blame his wife; instead, he must take ownership of his feelings. At that point, Bob screamed at Marianne, telling her she was “just like his ex-wife.” He then went on to threaten to hurt her if she did not call his ex-wife, whom he blamed for having been prosecuted for domestic violence. Two of the other group members tried to de-escalate the situation by telling Bob that “everyone just wants to get on with the meeting” and asking him to “please sit down.”  Instead, Bob kicked a chair and threatened them as well. At that point, Marianne called the police, who escorted Bob from the premises.
Use French and Raven’s power typology to discuss the power dynamics in the BIP session just described.
Be sure to identify the relevant forms of power and indicate which person or persons have used power and in what ways. Be sure to provide specific examples.
For example, if you think that the scenario shows that Marianne has referent power, say how and in what way.
Hint: Most of French and Raven’s power bases will apply to this situation, but some will be more applicable than others.
Please stay focused on power dynamics as they played out in the scenario.
Do not extrapolate to domestic violence in general.
Do not introduce domestic violence statistics.
Use your book, the assigned videos, the assigned encyclopedia article, and one more peer-reviewed or government source to support your response to the questions. No websites will be accepted as sources. Whenever you borrow content, you must cite your source. Be sure to cite and reference all assigned sources in each of your posts using APA style and correct APA-style citations and references for all posts.
Your initial post should be at least 350 words, and you should provide a complete reference for each source you cited. Be sure to review the assigned resources for this module before you post.
Reply to the posts of at least two classmates with replies of at least 200 words. Responses should be fully explained, with a complete reference for each source you cited.
Whenever you borrow content, you must cite your source. Be sure to cite and reference all assigned sources in each of your posts using APA style and use correct APA-style citations and references for all posts.
Submission
Be sure to cite and reference all assigned sources in each of your posts using APA style. Your initial post should be at least 350 words. Replies should be at least 200 words. All borrowed content should be cited. Be sure to use correct APA-style citations and references for all posts.
After you have posted your initial post, read and respond to two or more of your classmates’ posts. Be sure to make substantive and constructive comments (just posting a “nice post” doesn’t count, nor does substantially repeating what your peers have said). Responses should be fully explained, with a complete reference for each source you cited.
Please note:
You will not see your classmates’ posts until you post to the discussion.
Two replies are needed for an exemplary score on interactivity–review the attached grading rubric.
The Scenario Discussion grading rubric is different from the one we use for the Reflection Discussions.