The Impact of Observers on Group Process and Content

Abstract

The observer's impact on the process and content of over fifty, two-day, intensive training groups was evaluated by leaders, members, and observers. There was general agreement across the three perspectives that the observer's influence was significant and potentially negative. The group members experienced the observer as more intrusive than did their leaders. The effects were predominantly indirect, and reflected in the content of group interactions both during and after the observer's visit. Results are discussed in terms of their clinical implications, and recommendations are made for how leaders may maximize the therapeutic potential of the observer's contributions.

Emerging Processes Within Peer-Support Hearing Voices Groups: A Qualitative Study in the Dutch Context

“…We refrained from systematic observation within the group since the presence of a "researcher who comes to observe" (or doing a tape recording) could have influenced the meeting in question to the point of deviating from its natural course (32). However, opportunities naturally arose for the first author to attend several groups several times, which provided a better intuitive "feeling" of the environment.…”