GROUP EXERCISE: Creating Personal Change through Force-Field Analysis

Objectives: 1. To apply force-field analysis to a behavior or situation you would like to change.

2. To receive feedback on your strategies for bringing about change.

Introduction: The theory of force-field analysis is based on the premise that people resist change because of counteracting positive and negative forces. Positive forces for change are called thrusters. They propel people to accept change and modify their behavior. In contrast, counter thrusters or resistors are negative forces that motivate an individual to maintain the status quo. People frequently fail to change because they experience equal amounts of positive and negative forces to change. Force-field analysis is a technique used to facilitate change by first identifying the thrusters and resistors that exist in a specific situation. To minimize resistance to change, it is generally recommended to first reduce or remove the negative forces to change. Removing counter thrusters should create increased pressure for an individual to change in the desired direction. Managers can also further increase motivation to change by following up the reduction of resistors with an increase in the number of positive thrusters of change.

Instructions Your instructor will pair you up with another student. The two of you will serve as a team that evaluates the completeness of each other's force-field analysis and recommendations. Once the team is assembled, each individual should independently complete the Force-Field Analysis Form presented after these instructions. Once both of you complete this activity, one team member should present results from steps 2 through 5 from the five-step Force-Field Analysis Form. The partner should then evaluate the results by considering the following questions with his or her team member:

1. Are there any additional thrusters and counter thrusters that should be listed? Add them to the list.

2. Do you agree with the strength evaluations of thrusters and counter thrusters in step 4? Ask your partner to share his or her rationale for the ratings. Modify the ratings as needed.

3. Examine the specific recommendations for change listed in step 5, and evaluate whether you think they will produce the desired changes. Be sure to consider whether the focal person has the ability to eliminate, reduce, or increase each thruster and counter thruster that is the basis for a specific recommendation. Are there any alternative strategies you can think of?

4. What is your overall evaluation of your partner's intervention strategy?

Force-Field Analysis Form STEP 1 In the space provided, please identify a number of personal problems you would like to solve or aspects of your life you would like to change. Be as imaginative as possible. You are not limited to school situations. For example, you may want to consider your work environment if you are currently employed, family situation, Interpersonal relationships, club situations, and so forth. It is important that you select some aspects of your life that you would like to change but up to now have made no effort to do so.

STEP 2: Review in your mind the problems or aspects listed in step 1. Now select one that you would really like to change and that you believe lends itself easily to force-field analysis. Select one that you will feel comfortable talking about to other people.

STEP 3: On the form following step 4, indicate existing forces that are pushing you in the direction of change. Thrusters may be forces internal to the self (pride, regret, fear) or they may be external to the self (friends, the boss, a professor). Also list existing forces that are preventing you from changing. Again, the counter thruster may be internal to the self (uncertainty, fear) or external to the self (poor instruction, limited resources, lack of support mechanisms).

STEP 4: In the space to the right of your list of thrusters and counter thrusters indicate the relative strength. For consistency, use a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 indicating a weak force and 10 indicating a high force.

COUNTERTHRUSTERS STRENGTH

STEP 5: Analyze your thrusters and counter thrusters, and develop a strategy for bringing about the desired change. Remember that it is possible to produce the desired results by

strengthening existing thrusters, introducing new thrusters, weakening or removing counterthrusters, or some combination of these. Consider the impact of your change strategy on the system's internal stress (i.e., on yourself and others), the likelihood of success, the availability of resources, and the long-term consequences of planned changes. Be prepared to discuss your recommendations with the partner in your group.

Questions for Discussion

1. What was your reaction to doing a force-field analysis? Was it insightful and helpful?

2. Was it valuable to receive feedback about your force-field analysis from a partner? Explain.

3. How would you assess the probability of effectively implementing your recommendations?