Difference between revisions of "Sociometry"

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<div class=teaser-text>Through their position in the space participants express their opinion. They need not to use words, therefore this method might help to offer critics in evaluation. A lot of aspects might be made visible through sociometry. </div>
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<div class=teaser-text>Through their position in the space participants express their opinion. They need not to use words, therefore this method might help in many assessment situations. A lot of aspects might be made visible through sociometry. </div>
 
<div class=methodpage-infos>
 
<div class=methodpage-infos>
 
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<div class=methodpage-content>
 
<div class=methodpage-content>
 
==Goal==
 
==Goal==
* In general, sociometry is a method to visualize information spatially by creating living infographics with the participants' bodies.
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* In general, sociometry is a method '''to visualize social information spatially''' by creating living infographics with the participants' bodies.
* The concrete aim depends on where in the programme you use the method. It might facilitate getting-to-know each other (in example mixing a group and giving them food for conversation). It might support reflection and assessment (by addressing more serious questions and supporting participants to express in a cooperative and non-verbal way.
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* It is often used for assessment - visualising opinions, preferences, attitudes towards a question, often for a quick overview.
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* It can also work for decision-making by asking participants to find a position to different options or opinions.
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* It can create clusters of people (mixing group members regards different criteria and so give an entry point for discussion/exchange)
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* It can make opinions or attitudes on a complex issue visible or tangible...
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The design of the system of coordinates according to which people assign themselves and also the question are crucial to how the method works.
  
<hr class=boldline>
 
 
==How it works==
 
==How it works==
Participants stand in a circle. A participant or a facilitator might offer a statement. The other participants find a position to this statement.  
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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".
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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.  
 
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.  
  
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<div class=left-box>
  
<div class=left-box>
 
 
===Possible coordinate systems===
 
===Possible coordinate systems===
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[[File: Progress-learning.jpg | right | 300px]]
 
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.  
 
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... )
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* '''Concentric circles''' (in example distancing themselves or agreeing with a statement... )
* Scale between plus and minus, or from zero toward higher numbers (shoe size, age, distance...)
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* '''Polarisation''' between plus and minus (in example for assessment)
* A coordinate system with x- and y-achses (in example x: "I learned..."  and y: "I feel...")
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* '''Scale''' from zero toward higher numbers (shoe size, age, distance, level of public involvement...)
* Quadrants  
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* '''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"
* Clusters (in example around different topic to choose, statements which participants identify with, features which participants share with others,...)
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*  '''Coordinate system''' with x- and y-achses (in example x: "I learned..."  and y: "I feel...")
* Maps  
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* '''Quadrants''': The corners of a room could represent three solutions or options (the fourth corner can be the "none of these" or "other" space).
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* '''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...
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* '''Maps'''. In example with the cities where the participants are living, places they would like to visit...
 
   
 
   
 
</div>
 
</div>
<div class=experience>
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==Assessment==
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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...
 +
<div class=left-box>
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===Sociometry - not just a playful tool===
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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.
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</div>
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<div class="experience">
  
 
==Experience==
 
==Experience==
Sociometry is a good method for [[Evaluation | evaluation]] or for getting to know for each other. It might play with categories and categorizations, give a quick overview over the feelings or evaluations.
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Sociometry is a good method for [[Evaluation | 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.
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
__NOTOC__
 
__NOTOC__
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[[Category:Method]]
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[[Category:Assessment]]

Latest revision as of 12:08, 8 April 2024

Through their position in the space participants express their opinion. They need not to use words, therefore this method might help in many assessment situations. A lot of aspects might be made visible through sociometry.

Time 15- 30 min

Group Size 10-100 people

Keywords group, evaluation, getting to know each other, activating

From:

Suedwind.png

Related:

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

Progress-learning.jpg

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.