Arthur’s Family Vacation: A Group Dynamics Story

Scott Newman

HLTH 365

Everyone Please Close Your Eyes!

A Brief Overview…Arthur’s family goes on summer vacation to

the beachArthur and DW don’t want to go

Negative outlook on the tripConflict arises – rains all weekArthur makes new plans for familyFamily has an awesome time despite the rainThe End!

Group Dynamics in ArthurFunctional Roles of

GroupsTuckman’s 5 Stages

of Group Development

Energy Bus – No Energy Vampires Allowed!

Team Building – Cohesion

Effective Problem Solving

Functional Roles of a GroupArthur changes roles

throughout the storyBlocker/DeserterInitiator/Contributor

D.W.’s RolesBig-Time Blocker“Our bathtub is bigger

than this!“This vacation is a

disaster!”Parents Roles

Supporters/Encouragers

Tuckman’s Five StagesForming

Parents establish rules of the vacation

StormingArthur and D.W.

complain about the trip and resist any attempts to have fun

NormingParent’s suggest ideas

– Arthur makes suggestion

PerformingFamily takes

Arthur’s advice, have fun with all the new vacation plans

AdjourningFamily comes back

having had an awesome vacation with each other

“No Energy Vampires Allowed!”D.W. and Arthur are

energy vampires on their family’s bus

Arthur changes attitude; starts “picking people up along the way”Eventually has a bus

filled with his family having fun!

Team Building - CohesionThe goals of team

cohesionFoster team spirit

and connectionsIncrease

trust/cooperationStrengthens team

morale, creates unity, a sense of belonging, and pride

In Arthur’s family:Activities increase

the fun they have on vacation

No longer complaining/resisting each other’s company

Strengthens their family and makes the trip more unified and together

Effective Problem SolvingFollows each of the

steps:1. Focus on the

mission2. Recognize

personality mixes3. Having a facilitator4. Addressing the

role of leadership

Arthur’s Family vs My FamilyConflict

D.W. and Arthur vs Katherine and IOur Family Vacation

Same situation, dealt with very similarlyTeam Building