ABSTRACT
The most valuable resources a counseling group has at its disposal are its members. The members are crucial to the success of the group and it is imperative that group leaders understand them and their behaviors. Of primary importance is the relationship of each member to the group. The individual decisions of members regarding their own involvement determines the impact of the group as a therapeutic tool for solving problems. Each member has to decide whether he or she is in the group to relate to others with mutual respect and personal self-reference or for exploitation. “The group is completely dependent upon the decision and capacity of each person to share his (her) self-perceptions and to encourage others to do the same” (Dinkmeyer & Muro, 1971, p. 74). Even when a positive commitment is made to become involved, however, problems created by group membership are many.
