Group behaviour can be quite hard to control considering the group dynamics that exist in these groups. Such groups whose members are prostitutes, drug addicts, vandals or general criminals are usually cohesive with internal rules and regulations that are adhered to by all group members. In addition, groups tend to influence an individual’s decision-making processes in many ways which make this individual be transformed and fit the group’s needs. As a result, this individual will be exposed to negative implications since he or she must fit in the group. These groups most of which are considered as unfit in the society display behaviours that do not conform to the societal norms. There is need to understand efficient ways which can be used in order to get information from them.
Collection of Information for addressing problems such as drugs, prostitution and vandalism
The society is struggling with dealing with the negative implications that such groups have. These groups that are usually cohesive are usually hard to deal with and getting information from them is quite hard. It is not easy for one to identify the group members unless one has connections through snowballing. Most of these groups’ members do their activities away from the public scrutiny (Mullins, 2002). An individual who is gathering information on such groups would consider the important information to consider. An individual would want to understand the hierarchy of the group by knowing who the group members to report to. This is usually the case since each group usually have a chain of command and some set regulations that help to keep the group members together (Mullins, 2002). In addition, there is a need to establish the areas of operation that is where these groups conduct their activities from. However, this might be hard to establish considering the secretive nature of these groups. More so information concerning the impacts of these groups’ behaviours may be an important piece of information which an individual may be interested in. consequently, it would important to seek information on the number of individuals involved in these groups in order to establish its social prevalence and impacts. The information may be very helpful in helping the concerned parties including the government to come up with measures which are aimed at alleviating the social problems associated with these groups’ activities.
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Kinds of responses to Consider
Gathering information from cohesive groups such of those of prostitutes, vandals, and drug addicts can be tasking since the responses may be insincere or exaggerated considering ten societal perceptions of such activities. It would very important for the person gathering information to scrutinize the responses and comparing these responses from various respondents to establish uniformity. The person gathering information can consider the responses concerning the number of members in a group in order to establish the extent to which the group’s activities have affected the society (WHO, 2002). Once the researcher establishes the affected individuals there is a possibility of the concerned stakeholders to avert the impacts of the group’s activities. The researcher may also consider the responses of the roles undertaken by the group members in addition to hierarchy and the chain of command that exists within the group. By doing this one is able to understand if the group has outside support from non-members who may be helping the group to thrive and take root in the society. More so the responses concerning their areas or jurisdiction of operation is important since it will be helpful in knowing the authorities that must be involved in order to contain their activities (WHO, 2002). For example, if the vandals specialize in breaking houses in a particular neighbourhood the sheriff can be put on notice to limit the vandalism.
Types of assessments that can be performed
Dealing with dynamism in group behaviours and processes requires certain types of assessments which can be useful in improving the outcomes of such group behaviours. One can use rapid assessment on the focus group for discovering behaviours and opinions that the individual does not already know about or any other issue that has not been put into consideration (WHO, 2002). In addition, rapid assessment is very helpful when generating ideas and hypothesis as well as identifying new research directions and the key informants. For instance, a prostitute who is acting as a strategic spy may know other participants such as taxi drivers, bar and hotel owners in addition to other prostitutes who may supplement her information This is especially important in establishing on the inner behaviours of the groups under study to improve one's understanding of these groups (WHO, 2002). More so this kind of assessment is helpful in the understanding of a group's vocabulary and their terms for a specific behaviour, as well appropriate body language in addition to the customs that are regarded as either appropriate or inappropriate in the group. This is very important since groups usually have codes which an outsider may not know since it is meant to maintain a group’s identity and secrecy.
In conclusion group behaviour and processes are very pivotal for the cohesiveness of any group and are the driving forces to the continued existence of such groups. When gathering information concerning the groups such as those of vandals, prostitutes and drug addicts one needs to consider the group's hierarchy, chain of command as well as areas of operation. This information is important in the formulation of strategies for helping alleviate the negative of such groups to the society. The individual collecting information would want to consider the various responses and compare them in order to come up with the most suitable of the responses. In addition, one would use rapid assessment which will be helpful in highlighting some of the key elements of the findings.
References
Mullins, L. J. (2002). Group Processes and Behaviour. Management and Organizational Behaviour, 188-199.
World Health Organization (2002). Sex-Rar-Guide: The Rapid assessment and response guide on psychoactive substance use and sexual risk behaviour. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/documents/hiv-aids/RAR%20sex.%20behavious%20guide.pdf.
