Group feedback: functions and corruptions.

Abstract

Feedback is one of the most decisive factors in producing therapeutic change. Nevertheless, it is not always offered in an appropriate way and it can even be harmeful for the therapy’s purposes. It is essential to distinguish which factors differentiate functional feedback from other, less functional forms; there are forms of feedback that, although perfectly valid for groups having a task of productivity beyond the group as objective, are simply not applicable for therapeutic groups that have as their goal the further development of intragroup bonds. Taking these premises into account, the article offers some criteria for evaluating feedback’s functionality or dysfunctionality, and gives practical examples of the rules to be followed for profitting from the application of feedback within the clinical setting.