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