Write a short note on sensitivity groups.

Sensitivity Groups: Encounter groups, T (training) groups, and sensitivity training refer to group experiences in which people relate to one another in an intimate manner requiring self-disclosure. The goal is to improve interpersonal awareness. An encounter group may meet for a few hours or for a few days. The goal of sensitivity groups provides an interesting contrast to that of therapy groups. In therapy the goal is to have each member explore personal or emotional problems in depth and then develop a strategy to resolve them. In comparison, sensitivity groups seek to increase each member's personal and interpersonal awareness and then develop more effective interaction patterns. Sensitivity groups generally do not directly attempt to identify or change specific emotional or personal problems that people have (such as drinking problems, feelings of depression, sexual dysfunctions, and so on). The philosophy behind sensitivity groups is that with increased personal and interpersonal awareness, people will be better able to avoid, cope with, and/or handle specific personal problems that arise. Sensitivity groups are used in our society for a wide variety of purposes: to train professional counselors to be more perceptive and effective in interpersonal interactions with clients and with other professionals, to train people in management positions to be more effective in their business interactions, to help clients with overt relationship problems become more aware of how they affect others and to develop more effective interaction patterns, and to train interested citizens in becoming more aware and effective in their interactions.

Although encounter, marathon, and sensitivity groups are popular and have received considerable publicity, they remain controversial. In some cases, inadequately trained and incompetent individuals have become self-proclaimed leaders and have enticed people to join through sensational advertising. If mishandled, sensitivity groups can intensify personal problems. Many authorities on sensitivity training disclaim the use of encounter groups as a form of psychotherapy and discourage people with serious personal problems from joining such groups.