The purpose of sociometry is to assist groups achieve their purpose
together with greater satsifaction in being with one another, and a stronger
sense of belonging.
Developed by Jacob Moreno (1887 – 1974), he. noticed in groups and
communities people are attracted to or draw away from others and these choices
create patterns of interaction. He discovered when people chose whom they
interacted with, they have a higher level of satisfaction in being together, a greater
sense of belonging, and achieve their purpose.
Moreno’s early long-term study within the Hudson School for girls in NY,
prooduced profound results. Frequent runaways had those at the home look for
innovative solutions. Moreno was invited to work with the girls and staff. He
set about and invited each girl to choose who she would prefer to sit at meals
with. Their choices were mapped, and enacted. The level of runaways
dramatically reduced.
Sociometric methods have been developed overt time, with the principle that
the investigator is an active group member. Material generated from the group,
belongs to the group members. When this information is taken away by the
researcher and managers to make decisions about the group, this is no longer
sociometry. Sociometric interventions bring flexibility to systems and groups
by investigating the choices with the people who make them, and displaying the
patterns of relationships created by those choices. Stimulated by this
information, group members create new patterns for themselves, and enhance
authentic companionship and greater mutuality amongst people in the group.
All groups have intricate networks, based on both socio-emotional choices,
andpsycho-social networks. Identifiable patterns of interactions become
apparent. These patterns of relationships reflect alliances, hidden agendas,
sub systems, sub groups and isolates gathering around identifiable individuals,
based on their values, beliefs, and experiences. Some liaisons become
entrenched and others are enacted moment by moment.
In order to understand what
makes a group tick, an assessment of the strengths and qualities of
relationships in the group is essential. People are curious to know where they
stand in relations to others; within their family, with friends, with their
bosses, peers and colleagues, and are curious about others’ relationships. Typical questions are:
- Who is close to their mother?
- Who likes working with their manager?
- Who doesn’t get on with who?
- Who will be chosen for project teams and on what basis?
- Who do you talk to, or who confides in you so you know what is really going on?
Sociometry means ‘companion measure’. Moreno designed sociometry as an
inter-personal and inter-group measure, a new science. He wanted to create a
society where all humans achieve their potential to love, to share and face
their truth. By making choices of who to be with overt and active, he hoped
individuals would be more spontaneous, authentic and organisations and group
structures would become fresh clear and lively.
Sociometry enables us to enter the world of these interpersonal choices,
attractions and rejections, and their effects. Sociometry has methods for
displaying interpersonal choices, attractions and rejections and assists in
exploring and improving relationship dynamics.
Both the formal structures and informal structures are
essential for organisation to function effectively. We know a great deal of the
formal structure and the reporting based networks of relationships. In manay
organisations, the formal organisation structure is emphasised to the detriment
of the informal networks.
Sociometry enables us to intervene in the organisation systems with both
formal and informal research data, and to identify with those involved
intervention to release the creativity, leadership and innovation that resides
within the informal networks, giving greater satisfaction to group members, and
better results.
Yes this is
complex
For sociometric interventions to be successful, participants are asked to
account for their choices they make in their interactions, to better understand
motivation for choice and the underlying feelings of attraction and repulsion
(choosing and not choosing). Because these choices can be made visible, they
are measurable and observable enabling group members to recognise the
structures their combined choice making creates. Individuals and group members
can then evaluate it and make any changes they wish.
And sometimes uncomfortable
Naturally revealing and hearing personal motivations and reasons for
choices or not choosing is uncomfortable for some. Mostly this is offset by the
value of change, and refreshing of relationships. Many people are relieved to
hear the reasons for being chosen, or especially, not chosen, which they may
have imagined previously. When these processes are facilitated respectfully,
group members gain a lot of satisfaction with the shared information, and enjoy
their ability to make new relationships or refresh existing ones.
