Change Theory

INTRODUCTION

• Kurt Lewin (1890-1947) is considered as the father of social psychology
  
• He was born in Germany, later emigrated to the US.
  
• He is well known for his writings on group dynamics, group therapy and social psychology.
  
• Kurt Lewin introduced his field theory concepts, emphasizing that the group differs from the simple sum of its parts.
  
• Lewin coined the term group dynamics in 1939.
  
• His field theory states that "one’s behavior is related both to one’s personal characteristics and to the social situation in which one finds oneself."
  

LEWIN"S CHANGE THEORY

• His most influencial theory was his model of the change process in human systems.
  
• Kurt Lewin theorized a three-stage model of change that is known as the unfreezing-change-refreeze model that requires prior learning to be rejected and replaced.
  
• Lewin's theory states behavior as "a dynamic balance of forces working in opposing directions. "

CONCEPTS

Driving forces

• Driving forces are forces that push in a direction that causes change to occur.
  
• Driving forces facilitate change because they push the person in the desired direction.
  
• They cause a shift in the equilibrium towards change.

Restraining forces

• Restraining forces are forces that counter driving forces.
  
• Restraining forces hinder change because they push the person in the opposite direction.
  
• Restraining forces cause a shift in the equilibrium which opposes change
  

Equilibrium

• Equilibrium is a state of being where driving forces equal restraining forces and no change occurs
  
• Equilibrium can be raised or lowered by changes that occur between the driving and restraining forces.
  

STAGES

Consists of  three distinct and vital stages:
1. “Unfreezing”

• Unfreezing is the process which involves finding a method of making it possible for people to let go of an old pattern that was counterproductive in some way.
• Unfreezing is necessary to overcome the strains of individual resistance and group conformity.
• Unfreezing can be achieved by the use of three methods.
  
  • First, increase the driving forces that direct behavior away from the existing situation or status quo.
    
  • Second, decrease the restraining forces that negatively affect the movement from the existing equilibrium.
    
  • Third, find a combination of the two methods listed above.
    

2. “Moving to a new level or Changing” or Movement

• This stage involves a process of change in thoughts, feeling, behavior, or all three, that is in some way more liberating or more productive.
  

3. “Refreezing”

• Refreezing is establishing the change as a new habit, so that it now becomes the “standard operating procedure.”
  
• Without this stage of refreezing, it is easy to go back to the old ways.
  

APPLICATION

• It is pertinant that the driving and restraining forces must be analyzed before implimenting a planned change.

REFERENCES

1. Kritsonis A. Comparison of Change Theories. International Journal of Scholarly Academic Intellectual Diversity; 8:1, 2004-2005.