Group dynamics are structured group activities that pursue an objective. These group exercises can be used in different areas and have different formats: from family therapy to games to enhance teamwork in the workplace, to values workshops in high school classrooms. What are group dynamics for? They are used, especially, to learn experientially, that is, to experience a situation that promotes personal and/or work development.
In this Psychology-Online article, we expose 10 examples of group dynamics for adults practices with techniques and tips to apply them. We cite the instructions and benefits of fun, emotional and practical group dynamics.
Presentation dynamics
When a new group of people is created, whether in a class or a work project, an introduction round is usually carried out in which basic personal information is provided. By preparing a presentation dynamic, we will make it more original, more enjoyable and that conversation can arise more naturally. Thus, people will begin to know each other and interact. There are many types of integration dynamics. Some examples of fun group dynamics to introduce yourself are:
- “What don’t you expect to happen?”: Normally, presentations ask about expectations. We can surprise you with a different question.
- “If you were a desk object, what would you be?”: It is also often asked about the person’s hobbies or characteristics. We can ask it this way to receive original and fun answers. The concept of the desk object is related to office work, but we could replace it with a category according to the place. For example, “What type of vegetable would you be?” would serve to present to the students of a cooking course.
- Match the description to the person: Another example of a fun dynamic consists of preparing cards with the name and a brief introduction of each person written by them. It’s about playing a game of guessing who each description belongs to. Questions can be asked, but only “yes” or “no” can be answered. To add interest, we can request curious or unexpected information in the descriptions, ideal for breaking the ice.
Dynamics to get out of the comfort zone
This group dynamic for adults has very simple instructions: choose one person from the group and act as if it were them. However, it is not easy to do, observation and imitation come into play. Behaving the way another person would, first of all, but, above all, we explore other facets, other registers and other ways of functioning. In some, we may feel real discomfort, experiencing resistance to .
This is one of the dynamics for adults that can be fun in a more relaxed environment, such as a group of friends, and can also be put into practice in learning and personal development groups.
Escape room
Whether for groups of friends, families or work teams, escape games are an original and fun idea. This type of group dynamic consists of solve tests in a space set in a story. Increasingly, they are used more to celebrate birthday and for activities team building. Participating in an escape room brings several benefits: encourages teamwork, improves communication, enhances creativity, works attention, stimulates logic and resolution, enhances imagination, improves interpersonal relationships… It also allows you to observe and assess the skills of the participants, such as the ability to leadership, problem solving or assertiveness.
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Negotiation dynamics
A very common exercise to put communication skills and the ability to persuade into practice is the game “Lost on the high seas”. Participants are provided with a list of 15 objects that they must prioritize based on their importance to survive in a lost navigation on the high seas. Next, the group must negotiate to make a single list of priorities. This group dynamic for adults or adolescents allows you to observe decision-making, creativity, teamwork, leadership capacity and conflict resolution skills.
A technique that can be used in this type of group dynamics for adults is to assign an observer: a person who observes and takes note of the behaviors and strategies used by the negotiators. This person will serve as a mirror for the participants.
Role-playing to implement new behaviors
In the dynamics of negotiation, debate and group exercises, it may be that thanks to the feedback of others, becoming aware of unsatisfactory behavior. For example, having had an overly passive attitude or communicating aggressively. Once we have become aware of those characteristics that we want to improve, we must practice the behavior we want to learn or enhance. Practice is the way to make real changes. Therefore, what the group will do is simulate the situation and give the person the opportunity to act differently, thus seeing how the response of others changes. We can observe the extent to which our actions influence the attitudes of others.
Construction exercise
This dynamic for adults is excellent for work teams, both at university and in the work environment. The activity is broken down into two parts:
- First, each person will be offered paper, scissors and glue, and they will be asked to make a tower as tall as possible in 30 minutes. The towers will be measured.
- Next, groups of 3-6 people will be organized. The same slogan will be given, but this time as a team.
The towers are most likely higher when we can share ideas, help each other, motivate each other, mix strengths, support each other, feel more secure…, in short: teamwork. This fun group dynamic will remind us of the benefits of building together.
Dynamic of gratitude
This group dynamic is perfect for occasions when we want to work on personal development and strengthen interpersonal relationships. Practice gratitude It helps us appreciate what we have, connects us with a feeling of well-being and helps us focus on the positive.
This group dynamic is to be done as a family or in small work groups, as a certain level of trust and intimacy is needed. It consists of telling other people what we want to thank them for. According to Dr. Martin Seligman, a researcher in the field of , writing a thank-you letter to another person positively and significantly impacts well-being and happiness scores. In addition, we will ensure that whoever receives it feels valued and recognized.
- You can make a small thank you to all the members of the group.
- Or also have each person write a letter to only one person. A good idea is to use this exercise on the invisible friend.
Trust exercise
Do you trust your partner, your family or your colleagues? We will check it with this group dynamic for adults that is applied both in couples therapy and in personal growth groups. It is also recommended for families and work teams. We will present two variants of the trust exercise:
- Close your eyes and let yourself go. In this dynamic, we will place a blindfold on a person’s eyes so that he cannot see. You must reach the other end of the room by avoiding objects with the help of others. They must give clear and precise instructions and provide support to the person who cannot see so that they can trust.
- Let yourself fall and trust others. In this exercise, the person will stand up straight and fall on their back. Behind her, she will have arms ready to hold.
These fun group dynamics for adults promote unity, trust, cooperation and teamwork.
Dynamics of priorities
This group activity aims to get to know ourselves more and get to know others more. A very useful exercise to do with family and friends to open up on a personal level through a fun game.
It consists of making a list of the 10 things you would take with you to a desert island. They must be very specific things. Participants must present their list and share opinions. To continue the exercise, we must eliminate 7 things and stay with only 3. They will be the 3 things that we value most, so you can perceive your scale of values and your priorities. We can share sensations, impressions and conclusions derived from the activity.
Network dynamics
This fun group dynamic is a good exercise to promote teamwork, group cohesion, and trust in others. Four members of the group place their arms extended forward and bend their right arm so that the right hand embraces the left elbow. Next, they must join together and hold each other’s arms forming a network. This net should serve as a chair to support the weight of another member of the group. This is one of the group dynamics for adults or adolescents that has a moral: By joining forces, we can!
All the proposed adult dynamics can be varied to adapt to the needs of the group. All dynamics are designed to be in person, but some could be adapted to be carried out online. It is also a way to encourage imagination and creativity.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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