Page 102 - DEDU502_GUIDANCE_AND_COUNSELING_ENGLISH

Guidance and Counseling

Notes Procedure involved: In a rating scale, the charact&stics are rated according to given number of
points. The points are in terms of grades or numbers. For example, meeting strangers may
present .a serious problem to one individual and no problem at all to another. Between these
two eltremes, the seriousness of the problem may differ from one individual to another. The
ratings may be qualitative or quantitative.

8.4 Meaning of Group Guidance

Group guidane is an integral part of the guidance programme. The most important objectives in the
guidance process are to help the individual achieve self-direction, self-knowledge and self-realisation.
These cannot be achieved in a cultural vacuum. Many experiences must take place in a group
setting, since it is the only way they can be learned realistically.
Group guidance is a relationship in which the guidance worker attemps to assist a number of
students to attain for themselves satisfactory development or adjustment to their individual or
collective life situations. It occurs in a setting in which one or more guidance workers encounter
students as a group.
Groups are best suited for discussing educational and vocational plans, views relating to adjustment
to school and social situations, opinions relating to choice of options, and choosing a career, economic
constraints, occupational prospects and personality adjustment problems.
Concept

When more than one individuals are put together in a group for educational, vocational or personal
guidance, the situation thus created is known as the situation of group guidance or group counseling.
It is guidance through group activities. The group is formed on the basis of common problem of the
members. For example, if information about various courses or information about various vocations
is to be imparted it may be done in a group, as this may be the need of all the individuals in the
group. Similarly, if some individuals have common personal problems such as negative self-concepts
or no problem but the need for developing good social relationships or need for developing, skill in
group living in all the members group guidance.
There are two types of group guidance— (i) orientational, and (ii) therapedic. Orientational kind of
group guidance concentrates on orienting pupils to new environment, new courses or new
programmes. Telling the pupils about admission procedures and requirements of admission in
various schools and colleges also constitute an activity of orientation type of group guidance.
Orientation is necessary whenever pupils enter a new institution than at other stages. The orientation
programmes of group guidance serve, according to Bennett (1963) the following purposes :
(1) To acquaint the new comers with the new institution, its philosophy, rules and regulations,
etc., so that they may adjust adequately and live a happy group life.
(2) To guide the new comers to reconsider their goals and purposes in relation to their increased
self-knowledge and newly available opportunities.
(3) To help the new comers to improve their skills in making desirable adjustments.
(4) To inspire the new comers to make their own contributions to the new school home.
(5) To help the new comers to broaden and deepen their perspective in life and plan more
intelligently for the future.
(6) To provide opportunities for the teachers and students to become acquainted with the new
comers to become aware of their potentialities.

8.5 Aim of Group Guidance

Kitch and Mc Creasy have listed the following objectives of group guidance :
(1) To assist in the identification of common problem.

96 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY