Goal
- In general, sociometry is a method to visualize social information spatially by creating living infographics with the participants' bodies.
- It is often used for assessment - visualising opinions, preferences, attitudes towards a question, often for a quick overview.
- It can also work for decision-making by asking participants to find a position to different options or opinions.
- It can create clusters of people (mixing group members regards different criteria and so give an entry point for discussion/exchange)
- It can make opinions or attitudes on a complex issue visible or tangible...
The design of the system of coordinates according to which people assign themselves and also the question are crucial to how the method works.
How it works
Referring to the example on the picture: Facilitators draw a line on the floor and ask participants to position themselves to a question. A simple question could be: "I can apply the learned in my future practice." The origin represents: "not at all", the end of the arrow "yes, absolutely".
Or participants stand in a circle. A participant or a facilitator might offer a statement. The other participants find a position to this statement.
The centre of the circle might be: I totally agree. Who remains there, says, that he or she agrees totally. Who goes outside of the circle says, that he or she is less convinced from the statement.
Possible coordinate systems
Sociometry works also with other figures, like lines, or maps. In example, ask the participants to build a map with their home cities. Or that they order the group according to the feet size.
- Concentric circles (in example distancing themselves or agreeing with a statement... )
- Polarisation between plus and minus (in example for assessment)
- Scale from zero toward higher numbers (shoe size, age, distance, level of public involvement...)
- Antagonists - items in opposition to each other (with a double-sided arrow between them): "I'd like to read more" vs "I'd like to experience more action"
- Coordinate system with x- and y-achses (in example x: "I learned..." and y: "I feel...")
- Quadrants: The corners of a room could represent three solutions or options (the fourth corner can be the "none of these" or "other" space).
- Clusters. Distribute different circles or clouds on the floor. In example around different topic to choose - which topic do you find most important? Participants choose among competing statements the one they identify most with. Features which participants share with others - I have most experience with fundraising/volunteer management/management/organising...
- Maps. In example with the cities where the participants are living, places they would like to visit...
Assessment
The results are, depending on the smartness of the questions, self-explanable. In order to understand them better, invite people to (voluntarily) explain their position.
In order to achieve more representation during explanations, encourage persons speaking for different locations in your map/coordinate system: from centre and periphery, people representing plus and minus, high and low values...
Sociometry - not just a playful tool
Sociometry works with bodies and with the relationships between participants. Although it is often used in non-formal education limited to playful getting to know each other or to simple and quick forms of assessment, facilitators should be aware that the method is derived from a psychological context. Therefore, it can also be used for deeper explorations of positions, relationships and work on (personal) transformations. However, the deeper and more personal the purpose for which the method is being used, the more carefully it should be facilitated.
Experience
Sociometry is a good method for evaluation or for getting to know for each other. Getting-to-know-each other: Play with categories and bring people together which usually are not connected. Evaluation: A group can get a quick overview over their feelings or assessments.
