re: group dynamics// (slightly OT for one second...)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

That is fascinating about the psychology class and the group dynamic concept

of " gatekeepers " --I've taken psych before but hadn't heard of that concept.

I'm involved in multiple PTA's and booster clubs right now (hence one reason

for being stalled on the program) and that applies SO much to those groups.

They wonder why people don't come to the meetings, yet when they do come

they try their best to shoot them down if they have new ideas, etc. Then

next year they try to get new people on the board and committees and it

doesn't work and they wonder why--I do think that they don't even realize

they are doing it.

Really interesting....it might really apply to this board in some way in

that we can't read in between the lines or read the tone with which people

post their ideas. The face to face meetings of this group would be

interesting and informing and probably more supportive because we could see

everyone's face and expressions and hear more words of explanations.

I do think that this board is supportive in all of our ways that we can be

and even when some discussions get heated or OT or someone's feelings are

hurt, I do think that no one really means it to be that way.

With weight loss there are SO many frustrations tied into it and stress

along the way that I think we all mean to be supportive but at times that

discouragement gets to us. Not sure if I'm making any sense by rambling

away...lol!!

I like this board even if I can't post as often as I'd like to--need to get

myself back in the saddle right now.

Re: I am sad

I actually learned about group dynamics in Psychology

class yesterday. There tends to be a (or several)

Gatekeeper(s) who try to keep others from joining the

group or to discourage people from staying with the

group.. other Gatekeepers try to get new members to

join the group. The Gatekeepers also have no clue that

they are doing this (well, the recruiting..and they

may realise they are discouraging jerks on purpose).

Just some insights.