Friday, April 29, 2011
Week 14, Question 3
The one concept that I choose to discuss this week is reward-punishment power. I thought this concept was very interesting. Reward-punishment power is held by an individual who can effectively reward or punish other members of the group. Essentially we all hold this reward-punishment power if we can effectively praise or humiliate your fellow group members. We don't always think of it this way though. We usually think of it as "the ability to materially affect another's well-being in terms of financial rewards or punishments that we consider particularly meaningful." (Harris & Sherblom) We all have experiences with people like this and in some cases it can be ourselves. You may experience it at work with your boss or at home with your parents. Many people try to avoid disagreeing with the person who holds the reward-punishment power in fear of being punished. Unfortunately when group participation is based on regard for reward and punishment power, effective group process may be sacrificed.
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Hey.....I really like this concept even though I didn't write about it but when I think about reward-punishment it definitely makes me think of job or my parents. I never thought about it coming from a group but now that I really think about it I can see it happening. It makes me think about how in every group of friends there is always the person that is dubbed the leader of the group and sometimes everyone seeks that persons approval. That person also seems to be the one who rewards the one they like and punish the one's they don't by avoidance or some other crazy way.
ReplyDeleteI found this concept interesting too because not all of us are aware that we possess this power. Sometimes we may make a comment, unaware that it has this affect on another person. I think one of the hardest parts in working in a group is voicing your concerns effectively, but respectfully. I know when I want to share something with a group, I take into account how I would feel if I was on the other side. My main concern is trying not to sound bossy or arrogant. I can certainly relate in that I try to avoid disagreeing with the person who holds the reward-punishment power. No one wants to be punished, and to be done so in public is even more humiliating. This power though can certainly be destructive in group work because it might hinder the creativity of the group, since people might be afraid to speak out.
ReplyDeleteGood job on your post! I like how you found reward-punishment power. Just the word reward-punishment power sounds interesting because we all want to get rewarded for things we do, and we all hate to be punished even if we deserve it. There’s a lot of truth to when you stated that “we all hold this reward-punishment power if we can effectively praise or humiliate your fellow group members.” I think its very that there are cruel people who get pleasure of humiliate others for there own benefit. I feel that’s wrong on so many levels but we are all different and some people aren’t as cruel.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post on this topic of reward-punishment power. I will admit that when I was a manager I would do this at times. It is hard at times not to feel as if the only way you can get someone to do something is unless there is some reward behind it. I wish I could say I have never humiliated someone but then I would be lying. I do not think or better I feel that I do not ever try to intentionality try and humiliate someone but it happens and that is why i am happy I am able to communicate and to use the tools we know in order to help certain situations.
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