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Principles and Methods of Personal Guidance B.Ed Notes
In the words of Hopkins, “Personal guidance is that guidance which is concerned with the problems of health, emotional adjustments and social adjustment of an individual. It also includes his recreation and leisure-time problems.”
Other definitions of Personal Guidance given by various authors are:
1). According to Ruth Strang, “Personal guidance is the assistance given to an individual to solve his personal problems, such as emotional and social adjustment, economic and social relationship and problems connected with his physical as well as mental health.”
2). According to Wilson, “The purpose of personal guidance is to help the individual in his physical, emotional, social, moral and spiritual developments and adjustment.”
3). According to Crow and Crow, “Personal Guidance refers to help given an individual toward a better adjustment in the development of attitudes and behaviour in all areas of life.”
Through these definitions we have got an understanding of what personal guidance is and its need in human’s life.
Principles of Personal Guidance
The principles of personal guidance are as follows:
1). To help in the overall development of an individual.
2). To focus on all the personal and social needs of an individual.
3). To develop personal and social qualities in individuals.
4). To assist individuals in recognising their personal problems and overcome it logically.
5). To help develop right habits, behaviour, and attitude and build their personality.
6). To help individuals have a positive mindset and an optimistic outlook in life.
7). To assist each individual in getting a better understanding of themselves.
8). To help individuals overcome their feelings of insecurity.
9). To help every individual to become a person of sound moral character.
10). To develop feelings of kindness, love, trust, loyalty, care, sympathy, etc in individuals.
11). To help individuals in overcoming feelings of anger, frustration, stress, tension, conflict, and confusion.
12). To help people make satisfactory psychological adjustment with the environment.
Methods of Personal Guidance
The methods of personal guidance are the following:
1). Individual Guidance
Individual guidance is designed in a way that solves only the problems of an individual. It is and interaction between just two people, i.e., the adviser and the client about the latter’sideas, work, feelings, relationships, and other problems. Hence, it is a session just between two individuals where one is the guider and the other one is being guided. There are various strategies for individual guidance:
i). Spheres of influence
ii). Proxemics
iii). Immediacy
iv). Hierarchy of needs
v). Congruence
2). Group Guidance
Group guidance as the name suggests is assistance given to a group of people together facing similar problems. Many times people may be going through similar issues and need the guidance of someone else. Through a joint session, there problems can be discussed and worked on getting solved. The group may also help each other as they having similar issues. The different strategies for group guidance are:
i). Lectures or Talks
ii). Orientation classes
iii). Demonstrations and role-plays
These techniques of individual and group guidance help to give the desired outcome in their respective fields.
Thus, personal guidance helps in the emotional, physical, spiritual, social and mental development of an individual. Personal guidance maybe faced by students relating to family, friends, teachers and others. During such times even students need guidance to handle the problems. Without personal guidance, students can develop low self-esteem, social anxiety, and hatred for themselves as well as others. Providing personal guidance to students at necessary times is crucial for their well-being. Personal guidance is required at every stage of life and should be a mandatory part of educational institutions.
