Goal
- In general, sociometry is a method to visualize 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.
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.
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... )
- Scale between plus and minus, or from zero toward higher numbers (shoe size, age, distance...)
- A coordinate system with x- and y-achses (in example x: "I learned..." and y: "I feel...")
- Quadrants
- Clusters (in example around different topic to choose, statements which participants identify with, features which participants share with others,...)
- Maps
Experience
Sociometry is a good method for 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.
