The Social Profile in Your Group?

Teachers may wonder why some classroom groups function better than others. The Social Profile can help them understand why, and what skills can be introduced to improve group learning and social participation through cooperation.

Coaches of team sports may see camaraderie among players in some years, but not in others. The Social Profile can uncover what type of interaction is needed in practice, among team members, and in generating a united front in defeating the opposition.

Boards of community, professional and condominium members may need to examine why they are not functioning effectively in interacting and decision making for setting policies and creating by-laws. Reviewing the types and levels of group participation in their discussions could facilitate their potential for success.

Leaders of political groups need to look beyond partisan politics to civic goals. The guidelines of the Social Profile could motivate them to move beyond the power of lobbyists to influence them and to work for the common weal.

Occupational therapists working with groups of older adults, substance abusers and people with mental illness can use the Social Profile to assess their group’s type of participation during activities and to design interaction to improve functional and social skills.

Work groups in a myriad of settings often spend more time together than they do with their families. Various dysfunctional interactions such as power struggles, jealousy, boredom, and lack of motivation may be evaluated using the Social Profile to assess whether the work group needs a retreat, planning meeting, goal setting or outward bound type of experience to learn to function as a team designed to achieve work goals in a professional, more enjoyable manner.