Why use a consultant or an observer for a small group? (Remember, carefully think through your answer. Your final project is based on this very concept).
An observer or consultant can be beneficial to a small group. Usually when people are part of a group they might have problems that they don't notice or address. This happens because the group has no idea how they look or act or how other people might view their interaction with each other. Lack of communication within a group or just people being flaky are problems that people either don't notice or choose not to address. Its always that one person in a group that say they are going to do something and they never do it. So someone else in the group has to pick up the slack. An observer or consultant can address a problem of that short without worrying about any tension that would come if the problem was addressed by an actual member of the group. Usually at school when people are put into small groups the teacher takes the role of the consultant or observer.
Great point when you mention that a consultant or outside observer can easily keep the group in check and in line because they are not directly involved in the group process. The outside observer has no direct ties or connections to the group and should be fair in making decisions for the group. The textbook claims that an observer should not debate or argue but instead aim “help the group or team develop and improve” (p. 255). Also remember that equal treatment of all group members is critical, especially as a consultant, because tensions and feelings of jealously might arise between group members.
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