PSYb1141 Sebezkušenostní práce ve skupině

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2027
Extent and Intensity
0/2. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Dora Lukášová Salaquardová (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Michaela Širůčková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Jan Širůček, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Michaela Širůčková, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
PSYb1010 Introduction to psychology && PSYb1020 Personality Psychology
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 18 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/18, only registered: 0/18
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract

A key concept of Individual Psychology that informs our work with groups is the sense of belonging. This is essential both for the group process itself and for the experience of acceptance, safety, and the possibility of development and growth.

In this course, we will focus on the fundamental aspects of the group process: the stages of group development, the formation of group relationships, fostering a sense of belonging within the group, and methods of reflecting on the group process.

The course is conducted in an experiential format. Students will experience the group process from the perspective of group participants, practice a range of techniques used in group work, and have the opportunity to encounter their own personal dynamics and reflect on how these dynamics enter into interactions with other group members. The lived experience will be anchored in the theoretical framework of Individual Psychology.

We will work toward creating a safe group environment that enables sharing and open communication among participants. The goal of the Adlerian approach is to support individuals in experiencing a sense of belonging in their lives. This is also one of the central aims of our work in this course. Students will experience how a sense of belonging enhances motivation for personal development and potential change. In our group work, we encourage sharing, experiencing oneself and others in interaction, and engaging in group activities of various kinds.

As the program is experiential in nature, active participation and a willingness to engage in personal reflection and group work are prerequisites for enrollment in the course.

Learning outcomes

Developed Competencies:

  • The ability to listen to others and demonstrate empathic understanding of personal meanings.

  • The ability to work with one’s own resources and strengths while realistically recognizing personal limits and constraints.

  • The ability to perceive one’s own needs and the needs of others and to respond to them in a manner grounded in mutual respect.

  • The ability to work with one’s own emotions – awareness, understanding, expression, and regulation.

  • Awareness of personal boundaries and the ability to perceive and respect the boundaries of others.

  • The ability to reflect on the process of group work.

Key topics

Concepts of Individual Psychology and Their Application in Group Work

The need for belonging (social interest), creativity, and the prosocial orientation of human beings.

Subjective convictions, goal-directed and purposive behavior, and methods of goal attainment. Striving for perfection versus feelings of inferiority. The holistic principle. The creative power of the individual.

Principles of group leadership within the framework of Individual Psychology. The potential and limitations of group work.

Stages of the group process: establishing and building relationships; understanding and insight; reorientation; motivation for change and exploration of possibilities for change; support for change and consolidation of functional behavioral patterns within the group.

Goals of Group Work in the Adlerian Approach

  • Strengthening group members’ capacity to initiate and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships.

  • Functioning in relationships based on equality and cooperation (horizontal and vertical dimensions of relationships).

  • Supporting empathic relating and offering pathways toward understanding how others function.

  • Encouragement as a core component of the Adlerian approach—fostering courage and support. Identifying strengths and resources that group members can draw upon to support healthy functioning in society. Recognizing personal limitations and transforming them into challenges for growth.

Forms and Methods of Group Work

  • Group discussion (motivating cooperation, encouraging active participation, introducing themes and questions for exploration, and addressing sensitive topics within the group).

  • Group-based problem solving and orientation toward solutions and implementation of change (sharing experiences, broadening perspectives and coping strategies, group learning).

  • Modeling and role-play situations (opportunities to experience oneself in interaction and practice new approaches).

  • Facilitating group reflection processes.

Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching

The course is designed as experiential and process-oriented. It is grounded in experiential learning, a phenomenological approach, and work with group dynamics. Emphasis is placed on developing the capacity for self-reflection and reflection on the group process.

The course utilizes work with the group process in the “here and now,” structured discussions, small-group activities, model situations, and expressive techniques. It also includes guided reflection and the analysis of situations from multiple perspectives (e.g., behavior, intention, and emotional experience).

Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements

  • A minimum of 100% attendance is required.

  • Participation in the course cannot be replaced by an alternative assignment (e.g., an essay).

  • To successfully complete the course, all requirements must be fulfilled: attendance, ongoing participation, and a final reflective paper.

Seminar Paper: Reflection on the Group Process

Length: 5–6 standard pages

The seminar paper is focused on a professionally structured reflection on the student’s own experience of the group process throughout the semester. The aim is to demonstrate the ability to think analytically about group dynamics, one’s role within the group, and personal emotional experience in the context of interactions with other group members.

In the paper, the student should particularly address:

  • an analysis of their role and mode of participation within the group,

  • reflection on significant personal and group themes,

  • description and interpretation of selected interactional situations,

  • work with personal limits, strengths, and boundaries,

  • the development of emotional experience over the course of the group process,

  • evaluation of the experience’s contribution to further professional development.

The paper should be structured, include concrete examples from the group process, and demonstrate the ability to connect personal experience with an understanding of group dynamics.

Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught each semester.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2024, Spring 2025, Autumn 2025, Spring 2026, Autumn 2026.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2027, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2027/PSYb1141