Sensitivity Training, T-group Training, Laboratory Training

Laboratory Training:

Ø  Sensitivity Training, T-group

Ø  Pioneered by Kurt Lewin and his colleague, Bethal Maine (Place in USA)

Ø  Sensitivity training’s basic aim is to increase the participant’s insight into his or her own behavior and the behavior of others by encouraging an open expression of feelings in the trainer guided T-group.

Ø  Typically 10 to 15 people meet, usually away from the job, with no specific agenda.

Ø  Instead, the focus is on the feeling and emotions of the members in the group.

Ø  The facilitator encourages participation to portray(Show, expose) themselves as they are in the group rather than in terms of past behavior or future problems

Ø  The t-group success depends on the feedback each person gets from the others, and on participants willingness

Ø  Willingness to be candid (Honest, open, straight) about how they perceive each other’s behavior.

Ø  The process requires a climate of “ psychological” safety,  so participants feel safe enough to reveal(disclose, expose) themselves, to express their feelings, to drop their defense, and to try out new way of interacting

Ø  The participation should be voluntary

Ø  Dangerous exercise if led by the inadequate prepared trainer

T-Group Training:

Ø  Small number of trainees (<=12)

Ø  They meet with a passive trainer and gain insight into their own behavior and other’s behavior

Ø  Meetings have no agenda, are held away from work place and question deal with the here and now of the group process

Ø  Discussions focus on “why participants behave as they do, how they perceive one another, and feeling and emotions generated in the interaction process.

Objective:

Ø  Awareness about own behavior and how others perceive them

Ø  Greater sensitivity about others’ behavior

Ø  Increase in conflict resolution skills, greater openness, increase tolerance

Draw Backs:

Ø  Once the training is over, the participants are themselves again and they resort to their old habits.