User talk:Philemack

קThe actual process of an actual 14 session T-group with the developing dynamics.

Since the conception of this T-group July 12, 2010, I have noticed considerable changes take place within its circle. As with all groups there are a number of stages it goes through. According to my own theory and observation, the first evolution is called “This is me.” During this era the group participants come with the personality they have been displaying until this point in their lives. It is not until interaction begins within this particular group does a person alter their communication style, whether verbal or non verbal. The participant’s communication is adjusted again and again until it fits according to the accepted acceptance of group interaction. The accepted acceptance is the limit the group allows a participant to go on a regular basis, without it being confronted or acknowledged with criticism. The “this is me” evolution is the time from introduction to the group, until the first personal feedback is accepted by the group member. It is the accepted group feedback that causes the re-vision of self. When the member begins the internal dialogue the adjustment to the group is in process. One instance that I will refer to is group member NaQuesha, she explained to the group she was told by her husband that she does not listen. She said this was a continuous complaint of his. She never changed until it was group feedback. Once the group mentioned the same situational behavior i.e. she does not listen, she became more attentive and spoke less. Her re-vision of self caused her to look at this is me, and adjust her behavior to accepted acceptance. The above phenomena of the person participating in the group process, is the natural occurrence of each participant. Yet, as a whole the group takes on a life of its own. Each member is an organ that causes the group (the body) to live. Although the human body rarely fights within itself, the body of thegroup must, in order to grow into complete accepted acceptance. Each member brings with him/her the this is me that will cause every other member to have a re-vision of self. As each participant re-visions the group pulse beats. The group becomes alive. It grows and shifts and stretches and yawns. It laughs, it cries, gets angry, gets loud and quiets down. When the initial evolution begins its transformation, the group will begin a new era. The next evolution of the group is called Modification Era. In this era the participants begin to display their accepted self. If, when the member initially came to the group, for example, with a dominant personality, these traits will remain, however, they will be displayed in a modified exhibit. Notice, group member Deric, was told nicely that he was overbearingly dominant and that he talked too much. He would blurt out comments and disregard fellow group members by cutting them off. As his re-vision, he modified by first, not speaking at all. He then acknowledged the body was right, yet he could not quite find the proper accepted acceptance. Finally, as his modification, he would courteously interrupt by saying excuse me or begin speaking at the first detection of the natural break in conversations. He would over talk other members with a lower, smoother tone and give longer answers. Although he was not as brash or blatant he did manage to maintain his dominant participation in another way. So goes the natural progression of the group. The members will modify as a whole, with each participant making the adjustment to the accepted acceptance thereby causing the body to stir, creating an ebb and flow, showing that the group is a living entity within itself. From modification the body evolves into the Tell Some More Era. In this era of the group process, according to the Phlema theory, the body becomes seemingly interested in its self. Participants become more open. A few of the risk takers expose small secrets about their selves, to test the waters. The rest of the body appears to be in awe with the information, watching, waiting to see if the member will tell some more about him/her self. Also at this point in the evolution of the group one slight exposure of a tell some more, from one participant, will cause an avalanche of exposure. For instance the group member Deric revealed a private issue concerning him. The next member Cordell, having the opportunity to do so exposed a similar unknown about himself; this in turn prompted Charlene to identify an unknown of her own as well. Two more members immediately exposed small secrets about their selves. The tell some more era, is the stage that builds trust and camaraderie within the body. It is during this evolution that work begins. The body begins to move forward from the previous standstill of the modification era. This is due to the participants allow their guards to be lowered, even just a little bit. Considering that as a body if some parts are exposed others must follow, because a body cannot go or grow in different directions. It is because of the tell me more era the group goes to work. The scenario goes like this “now that we got past the scary part we can move on.” The next evolution is the Polish Era. This era brings about more respect, caring and companionship among the body. The participants show genuine concern for each other and want to be of service to each other. Guards are completely down and members expect deep statements of truth from each other. They interact by way of admiration and respect, giving way to their own modification to modify to the greater good of the body. Whatever the wish, want or desire of the body, the members will go all out to bring about. There is no holding back any longer. All the pushing and pulling of the previous eras give way to this evolution. The members become one and look out for each other. They know each other reasonably well. Yet, all have the best intention to discover more intimate detail concerning each other. The rough patches are buffed out and the polish is put on. Just like an old comfortable pair of shoes fit your foot’s shape perfectly, they are time-honored by you when you wear them on your knock around times with the understanding, that you may not wear them to the “King’s Ball” but, they are getting worn when you are most comfortable. They just feel good. The final evolution of the Phlema Theory is the Separation Era. It is during this stage the participants express glad tidings and good feelings. They have achieved a level of commitment to each other, they have shown their respect, expressed admiration and may have even suggested they stay in contact with each other. The participants that displayed the most divergence with each other complete the understanding that they are two separate entities merged in a common goal. Good- byes are said, the last smiles are given and hope springs eternal. Maybe we will maybe we won’t, at least we shared the here and now as a part of our experience and time together. The revolutions and eras described above are an original group process theory. They have been and will continue to be acted out with many other theoretical descriptions. However, similar in process, each group is a life of its own. Just as the human being is an individual, each on is a miniscule part of the whole of mankind. Each one in his/her own mind is the world in their self. In conclusion, the process of this group theory consist of – evolutions. Each evolution is an era in the life of the groups process. In order of appearance is the first era called: •	This is Me, the original behavior displayed by the participant before interaction with the group. Although not an evolution the accepted acceptance becomes a normal interaction in the ongoing stages of the group’s process. •	Re-vision of Self, causes the participant to look at how he/she is interacting within the group and find the acceptable limits yet not changing who he/she is. •	Modification allows the member to display their original personality trait, with a slight adjustment that the group implicitly allows. •	Tell Me More causes the group to bond by some hidden truth being exposed from two or more members taking a risk. •	Polish, concerns its time with respect, caring and companionship among participants while showing genuine compassion for each other and a desire be of service to each other. Guards down and expectation deep statements abound. •	 Separation Era, this end stage evolution allows the participants to express glad tidings and good feelings towards each other, displaying respect and admiration. With an eternal hope of being grouped together for some cause in the future. Phil E. Mack--Philemack (talk) 02:14, 7 November 2010 (UTC)