Final answer:
One argument against self-help groups is that negative emotions can spread among members. This is influenced by group dynamics such as informational social influence when answers are unclear or the group is seen as expert.
Step-by-step explanation:
One argument against self-help groups and other group therapies is the possibility that negative emotions will spread through the group. The concern is that due to group dynamics, like informational social influence and emergent-norm theory, individuals in a group might be influenced by the emotions and behaviors of others. Informational social influence is more likely under conditions where the answer is unclear, or when the group is perceived to have expertise, potentially exacerbating the spread of negative emotions.
Additionally, group therapies do have mechanisms for reconciliation and mitigation of conflict, such as promoting empathy and acknowledgment of past suffering to counteract negativity.