RE: managing outbursts in meetings
From: Ruddick, T.R. (RUDDICKedison.cc.oh.us)
Date: Mon, 15 Apr 2002 21:06:18 -0600 (MDT)
Other aspects, not intending to contradict anything that's been written
about this so far.

Once anyone violates a group norm in a noticable way, the other members of
the group normally focus lots of energy and talk on that person in order to
correct their deviation.  The likelihood of an emotional outburst increases
as the expectation of that sort of "correction" increases.  If your group
does a lot of talking about what people should and shouldn't do or say, you
have this highly defensive type of communication climate.

Then again, we should acknowledge that there are some people for whom
emotional outbursts are not motivated by deep personal anguish, but instead
are highly strategic actions aimed at obtaining selfish outcomes
efficiently.  If I bellow loudly enough, maybe the others will back off and
give me what I want out of avoidance/fear/disgust.

In sincerely motivated emotional outbursts, it's important for the group to
try to be accepting and supportive and, as described, to try to get the
person to express those genuine feelings constructively.  In strategic,
"jungle-fighter" types of outburst, it's important to limit the aggressive
person and establish norms of equality and respect for everyone involved.

I wish everyone luck in identifying which of these conditions fits your own
groups' outbursts!  Because it's not always easy.

TR Ruddick
Dayton OH cohousing...
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