Racial and Cultural Dynamics in Group and Organizational Life: Crossing Boundaries / Edition 1

by Mary B. McRae, Ellen L. Short

Overview

"The field has been waiting for a masterpiece like Racial and Cultural Dynamics in Group and Organizational Life for a long time. It provides a thoughtful account of the subtle, barely visible, and sometimes unspeakable influences of racial and cultural dynamics that occur in groups."
—Leo Wilton, Binghamton University, State University of New York

"I believe that by focusing on group diversity, this book aligns with a major trend that has not received enough attention."
— Christopher J. Mc Carthy, University of Texas at Austin

This book presents a theoretical framework for understanding leadership and authority in group and organizational life. Using relational psychoanalytic and systems theory, the authors examine conscious and unconscious processes as they relate to racial and cultural issues in the formation and maintenance of groups. Unique among group dynamics texts, the book explores aspects of racial and cultural influences in every chapter. Readers will enhance their analytic and practice skills in addressing factors that impact diverse groups and organizations, including ethical considerations, social roles, strategies for leadership, dynamics of entering and joining, and termination.

Key Features

• Case examples help readers integrate theory and practice, as illustrated in transcripts of interactions from group sessions.
• A group work competencies list ensures that readers master concepts as they progress through the book.
• An assessment form allows the student or practitioner to evaluate concrete dynamics of groups, such as size, and gendered and racial composition.

This text is appropriate for graduate-level courses incorporating group dynamics and multicultural topics in departments of psychology, education, counseling, and social work. It is also a valuable resource for counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals in preparation for group work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412939867
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	09/16/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Mary B. Mc Rae was awarded her Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1987. Presently, she is associate professor (tenured) and Director of the doctoral program in Applied Psychology at New York University. She teaches courses Group Dynamics, Cross-cultural Counseling, Program Development and Evaluation, and offers a seminar in Counseling Psychology at the masters and doctoral level.

Ellen L. Short is currently an assistant professor at Long Island University, in the School of Education, Department of Human Development and Leadership, Counseling Programs. Her areas of specialization in teaching, scholarly research, and publishing are group dynamics focusing on race, ethnicity, gender, and culture; multicultural assessment of intelligence and aptitude tests; and substance use/abuse and high-risk behaviors among HIV-positive, heterosexual populations. She has served as a consultant at group relations conferences in the United States and internationally. She has also directed group relations conferences at Teachers College, Columbia University and New York University. She is a member of the A. K. Rice Institute for the Study of Social Systems and the New York Center for the Study of Groups, Organizations and Social Systems. She received her MA in counseling psychology from Northwestern University and her Ph D in counseling psychology from New York University.

Table of Contents

Introduction Basic Conceptual Framework of Book
Ch 1. Understanding Groups as Psychodynamic Systems in the Context of Racial-Cultural Factors
Ch 2. Working With Differences in Groups: Ethical Considerations
Ch 3. Group Formation: Racial-Cultural Dynamics of Entering and Joining
Ch 4. Group Development: The Impact of Racial-Cultural Factors
Ch 5. Group Dynamics in Racially and Culturally Mixed Groups
Ch 6. Social Roles in Groups
Ch 7. Leadership, Authority, and Power in Racially and Culturally Mixed Groups
Ch 8. Strategies for Leadership in Multicultural Groups
Ch 9. The Mature Work Group
Ch 10. Termination
References
Index
About the Author