If group members identify socially with others and have worked through their struggles together, the usual growth result is which of the following?

• A. Risk aversion
• B. Leader dependence
• C. Emotional closeness
• D. Individuation

Answer: (C)

When group members identify with others and work through their struggles together, the immediate takeaway is emotional closeness. Sharing difficult experiences builds trust, mutual understanding, and a sense of safety that allows members to open up and support one another. This genuine connectedness is a hallmark of healthy group growth, because it reinforces belonging and empathy, making members feel seen and less isolated in their challenges.

Risk aversion would mean pulling back rather than connecting; leader dependence implies looking to a single facilitator rather than peers for guidance; and individuation focuses on developing personal autonomy, which can occur but isn’t the central growth most associated with collective struggle and shared identity in a group.