Group cohesion: A new multidimensional model

The significance of here- and-now disclosure in promoting cohesion in group psychotherapy

“…Members of a disclosing group feel more bonded to each other because each has shared in and contributed to a common experience. Moreover, the honest disclosure of one member encourages the honest disclosure of other members, thus solidifying disclosure as a group norm (Braaten, 1991;Cartwright & Zander, 1968;Cozby, 1973;Jourard, 1971).…”

Social cohesion revisited: a new definition and how to characterize it

“…This level of the individual is also furthered through the importance of the degree of liking as a personal reward to belong and maintain affiliation with a group -the amount of personal reward. Braaten adds to the studies of these researchers by arguing that groups, when capable of bringing a good relationship to individuals, help them become who they desire to be (Braaten 1991). This desire of the individual also goes along with the argument from Beauvais (Beauvais and Jenson 2002) and the definition of social cohesion from the Council of Europe (Europe 2008), which mention the degree of belonging of the individual, and how much it affects the degree of participation in the group.…”

“…It is best defined by the absence of conflict or crime (Durkheim 1897), a characteristic of society (Europe 2008), a desire for affiliation (Festinger, Back, and Schachter 1950), a group property (Lott and Lott 1966), a degree of stability (Parsons 2013), the strength of connections (Braaten 1991), as a transient state/process (Jeannotte 2003), and the same as good relationships or a national identity (Alaluf 1999) (which might not be true in current multicultural societies). Note, however, lack of consensus on defining values and factors related to the construct of social cohesion.…”

“…The last factor on the level of the individual is participation and performance, regards the drive that the individual has to act and take responsibility in the group, and can be linked to the research done on for e.g. initiative (Lockwood 1999), individual participation (Braaten 1991), task competence (Festinger, Back, and Schachter 1950), and individual behaviour (Cartwright and Zander 1953).…”

“…Braaten defines group cohesion as the equivalent of good relationship for an individual, which, when present, can help an individual to become the person h/she strives to be. He researches factors like group cohesion and its role in a good relationship, and creates a multidimensional model that supports the establishment, support, and achievement of a high level of cohesion (Braaten 1991 Social cohesion involves building shared values and communities of interpretation, reducing disparities in wealth and income, and generally enabling people to have a sense that they are engaged in a common enterprise, facing shared challenges, and that they are members of the same community. (Maxwell 1996) Alaluf defends that cohesion is promoted by the social system delimited by the nation, and defines it as a sense of a nation (identity) as a whole (unified), as represented by distinctive traditions, culture, and language 4 (Alaluf 1999).…”