>I suppose the question I am asking is how to get peple not to just do
>something but to stand there! Is there an unseen dynamic at play that
>one
>can interrupt? e.g
The "bias for action" you desribe is common to many groups. I have one
suggestion: frontloading with the "Columbo" technique (credit to Mike
Gass). It is useful when groups repeatedly promise to plan, but charge
right in each time!
Folks may recall the Columbo TV detective series. The primary character
acts "slow and forgetful" with the criminals, puts them at ease, finishes
his interrogation and announces his departure. Just as he is leaving (and
the criminal has relaxed) Columbo asks one sudden and surprizing question,
which catches the criminal off guard and causes the guilty one to blurt
out a secret.
FRONTLOADING is a technique which follows the introduction (or frame) of
a task (or experience), but precedes the action phase. It can be compared
to debriefing beforehand (or prebriefing). In its simplest form,
frontloading (by such direct questioning methods) refers to loading
learning infront of an experience by emphasizing key points and providing
an opportunity for clients to change during the experience rather than
afterwards (as with usual debriefing). Direct frontloading comes in five
forms:
<paraindent><param>right,left,out</param>FUNCTION questions ask what
behaviors will help bring about success and how these can be optimized.
DYSFUNCTION questions ask what behaviors will hinder success and how these
can be avoided or overcome.
OBJECTIVE questions ask about the aims of the activity and what can be
learned or gained from this experience.
MOTIVATION questions ask why experiencing the activity may be important
and how this learning relates to daily life.
REVISITING questions ask the group to return to their previous pledges
about how they would be working toward change.
</paraindent>
Since the excitement of many activities can often bring a group to
intensely focus on completing a task and can distract them from the
changes they are there to accomplish, the "Columbo" technique fits best
with the latter. After explaining the task and just before the action
begins, the Columbo facilitator returns to the group and interrupts with a
single question:
<paraindent><param>right,left,out</param>"Oh, I'm sorry, one more thing
before you get started: what were the commitments we made last time?
GROUP REVISITS PROMISES TO PLAN, LOOK BEFORE THEY LEAP, THINK FIRST,
DISCUSS ALL IDEAS, ETC.
Oh, that's right, I'd forgotten, go ahead."
</paraindent><paraindent><param>right,right,left,left</param>
</paraindent>This brief and concise question brings previous answers to
the "do things differently next time" question to the front of clients
minds. By doing this, they are more likely to act on their revisited
affirmations DURING the task.
Direct frontloading should not to be used all the time (I typically use it
about 10% of the time with groups and only when they need the help) and
must be done sincerely as sarcasm can destroy the relationship between
group and facilitator.
I hope I have understood your request and that this suggestion proves
useful.
REGARDS! Simon.
Simon Priest, Retired Professor
E-mail: mailto:spriest@ups.edu
Founding member of "<bold>eXperientia</bold>"
E-mail: mailto:experien@tscnet.com
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derived from purposeful reflection on direct participation in action
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--"Dr. Simon Priest" <spriest@ups.edu>
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