Do You Really Know Your Small Group?
by Paul ThigpenSmall-group members - especially newcomers - may not find it easy to tell one another about themselves. Questions are helpful - but not just any kind. Too often, vague or simple-answer questions ("What year are you?" "What's your major?") yield little information of significance.
One useful approach to becoming better acquainted has been borrowed from sociological surveys. It's called the semantic differential question. Survey takers have found this type of inquiry useful because it provides the respondents with a choice of specific answers that help them get a handle on the information being sought. It also gives the questioner some degree of control over which direction the response will take.
For these reasons, the semantic differential can be useful not only for new groups, but also for established groups that need to get better acquainted or express their positions on a particular matter of concern.
The question's basic form involves two words with opposite (or at least significantly different) meanings. These are placed at either end of a scale, with each word given a numerical value such as five, and zero lying halfway between them. The respondent is asked to place himself or herself somewhere on the scale, preferably not at zero (unless the person believes he or she truly does not lean in either direction). Here's an example, using the categories "Listener" and "Talker":
Listener Talker
5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5
The respondent would mark an "X" along the line where he or she would best be characterized. The fives represent the extreme listener or extreme talker.
To use this tool you must choose your categories carefully. Ask yourself what you'd like to know about your group members. The example above might give you a clue about members' styles of response in group settings. Are you interested as well in finding out about their social styles? Approaches to study? Spiritual backgrounds? Temperament types? Once you have a clear idea of what information you're looking for, choose category labels that are descriptive or even humorous rather than judgmental or value-laden. For example, if the question above had provided the titles "Quiet" and "Loud," or "Wallflower" and "Gabber," group members might be reluctant to place themselves in those categories. Even "Introvert" and "Extravert" carry uncomfortable connotations for some. Instead, "Listener" and "Talker" are simply descriptive words that get at essentially the same information.
Another example of a subtly value-laden category is "Leader" and "Follower." A follower is often viewed (inaccurately) as someone who is slower, less creative, or more easily influenced than a leader. A better descriptive pair would be "Organizer" and "Doer," which more clearly shows the positive contribution of each type of person.
Sometimes it helps to think in concrete metaphors, such as occupations (architect vs. builder); animals (dog vs. cat); or even plants (potato vs. mushroom). Then group members can explain why they chose one or the other ("I'm playful like a dog"; "I add flavor, like a mushroom").
Consider these semantic pairs to get you started, and then create your own categories:
spontaneous/planned
traditional/non-traditional
opaque/ transparent
day person/night person
sprinter/marathoner
big picture/details
like closeness/like space
spender/saver
pioneer/settler
After you do the survey, talk about your answers. Avoid value judgments in discussion as well as in the questions. Ask if you may keep the surveys for a week, and tabulate results. For example, does your group have more talkers or listeners? More sprinters or marathoners? More organizers or doers? How can you help those who fall into different categories complement rather than frustrate one another?
Return the survey results the next week, and talk about your group's profile as a whole. You'll be surprised at how much you can learn about yourselves.
Adapted from Small Group Letter, vol. 2 issue 7, ©The Navigators. Used by permission.
Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this article for educational purposes provided this permission notice, and the copyright notice below are preserved on all copies. Not to be reprinted in any other publication without permission. © 1997 InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. All rights reserved. This article appeared in the Winter 1997/Spring 1998 issue of Student Leadership Journal®.
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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