Professional Documents
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Groupwork Reviewer
Groupwork Reviewer
In social work, a method of intervention to help meet A. The group as MEDIUM of change
personal needs of its members
the target of change: individual member
Purpose of treatment groups: source of influence: the group
group efforts aim to modify or redirect features/forces in its 3. For CHANGE in the SOCIAL SITUATION or CONDITIONS
social environment which makes demands, create pressures, outside the group
and impose constraints on the group, thus adversely affecting
modification of the institution or social system within which
its development and goal achievement (techniques:
the group exists
information dissemination, persuasion, negotiation,
bargaining, pressure, confrontation etc.
the group is not the focus of desired change
Advantages of the group approach in social work:
USES of Groups in Social Work:
1. Many individual feel more comfortable in a group (support;
1. For EFFECT on participants: similar problems)
2. Members receive psycho rewards from helping others
socialization - re-socialization
(<Helper therapy= principle)
acquiring or changing self-image/identity, motivation
3. Internal forces in groups can influence attitudes, values,
attitude change/formation
behaviors (group can be potent
change/formation/modification of values and beliefs 4. instrument for change in the individual/group)
behavioral change 5. The group allows use of variety of activities relevant to
achieving sense of belonging individual needs and group goals
6. The cooperative thinking process in a group can hasten when social workers and social agencies commit each other
decision-making to the intention of helping each and all members of the group
7. Similar problems of members may be best handled with the to perform in consonance with their own and others needs at
group engaged in collective the same time.
8. action (instead of individually) when social workers and agencies commit themselves to
9. Maybe more economical to work with a group (if help members of a group learn from each other as well as
appropriate) from and through the worker how to bring about change
outside their group
Reasons for using the group approach/mode of service:
when clients are constantly helped to become conscious of
1. To use the group as the primary means of helping the ethically and scientifically documented fact that the
2. To augment individual methods behaviors of all persons have significant consequences for
3. To augment work with individual families others, both in and outside the group.
4. To augment community methods
When is work with groups NOT social work?
5. To work with groups in the context of intergroup approaches
at the community level (e.g. coalitions of different (Kurtland and Salmon, 1995)
community groups)
when the purpose is a change in the individual self without
When is work with groups social work? constant reference to and involvement of other members or
regard for them
(Kurtland & Salmon, 1995)
when the group is used essentially as the occasion for
when clients teach each other (i.e., learn from each other) personal/individual gain
how to meet their human needs through democratic group when the social worker is referred to as the leader of the
process under social work auspices. group and behaves accordingly, making the client followers
when the aim of social group work activity is to assist clients of the leader by definition.
to learn from each other.
when the standard method of understanding member
behavior and intervention is couched in terms of
Group Structure and Process in Social Work
psychopathology and treatment; and
when social change and social action are by-products, A. Structure: the “arrangement or interrelation of all the parts of a
incidental to the main content of the group membership whole”
experience. Group structure: patterns that develop and maintain themselves
Social Groupwork: a working definition over time in interpersonal relations (Garvin and Glasser)
“Social groupwork is a method of social work that aims, in formal (task group, social action group can have elected or
an informed way, through purposeful group experiences, to designated leaders/officers)
help individuals and groups to meet individual and group informal (therapy/treatment groups)
needs, and to influence and change personal, group,
Structural Properties of Groups
organizational and community problems” (Linday and Orton
2008) 1. Size
The group that has been especially set up by a Refers to the number of persons in the group;
social worker with the intention of intervening Size sets limits on the amount and quality of
in a way that is helpful to individual, group, communication among group members affecting
Members have been brought together for a Assures more direct and intensive communication
among participants
particular beneficial purpose and that meet at a
specified time and place 2. Communication Structure
Encompasses who interacts with whom about what,
Social worker is deliberate in facilitating or
and this interaction may be verbal or non-verbal
shaping and leading the group and considers the
Desired pattern of channels of communication is
range of reasons why the group can help
group-centered rather than leader centered
3. Affectional Structure\ o Forms of coercive power4being admonished,
Evident in the process of interaction (the process being deprived of certain privileges
of acting and reacting): some people are drawn
c. Referent Power4refers to the influence A has because of his
to each other and develop liking for each other
being well-liked and/or respected, which results in B9s
while others are repulsed, and develop dislike
identifying with him
for each other
d. Expert power- Influence is based on the perception that A
4. Power Structure
has expertise, has some special knowledge or skill and can
In group functioning, some form of power or
be trusted.
influence facilitates the group’s organization, its
e. Legitimate power4refers to that influence resulting from a
control, and goal attainment
person9s position in the group and/or from certain
SOURCE OF INFLUENCE (types of power) a person wields over responsibilities that go with that position
another in a group) 5. Leadership Structure: Leadership theories (serves as
approaches to leadership
a. Reward Power4Power is based on B9s (one member)
a. Position theory - the leader occupies the topmost
perception that A or theentire group has the capacity to
position and all the others below would be lesser leaders.
deliver positive consequences or negative consequences in
Ways one become a leader: by election,by
response to B9s behavior.
appointment or designation by a higher authority
o Reward can come in many forms: promotions, or sometimes by taking control usually by
praise, tokens, incentives manipulating situation through such ways/
b. Coercive Power4power is based on B9s perception that A means, gives the person authority or influence
positive consequences in response to B’s behavior b. Trait theory4assumes that leaders have personal traits or
characteristics that make them different from other
people
Also called the “great person” theory of 6. Role Structure
leadership Role refers to the socially recognized patterns of
c. Style theory - different styles: expectations of behaviors on the part of a person in a
1. Authoritarian - leaders have more absolute certain position; helps us to interpret what a person is
power, they set goals and policies as well as doing or is trying to do
major plans, dictate the activities of the All groups (whether organized for therapeutic reasons,
members for problem solving, or for other objectives) rely on the
2. Democratic - This style seeks maximum performance by members of a variety of roles
involvement and participation from members in 7. Group Norms
all decisions affecting the group, In the process of interaction, 8norms9 or rules and
3. Laissez-faire - this style is characterized by standards of behavior emerge4
minimum input or participation from the leader They indicate how members control each other, which
d. Situational theory - leadership is a function of the behaviors are allowed and which are not
situation rather than the person or what s/he does 8. Status
e. Functional leadership theory or the Distributed - Refers to one’s rank or standing in the group based on
Functions approach to leadership - leadership is viewed any of the following:
from a group perspective this includes the setting of The person9s closeness to the center of the web of
group goals, the selection and implementation of tasks to communication in the group
achieve the group’s goals, the provision of resources The carrying on of a particular kind of activity or
needed for the improvement of the group’s cohesion maintaining a certain level of activity
f. Interactional model of leadership--Equal focus/ attention The person9s position in the web of communication
given to group, the worker as the designated leader, the and the kind of job he does
members, and the environment in which the group Rank or status is based on some characteristics
functions possessed by the person
individual and cultural differences, and problem-solving
skills. A cooperative atmosphere results where there is
compatibility, similarity, or complementarity in the personal
B. Group Process: the interaction processes or what goes on goals of group members.
between and among members (what is happening between and to 4. Decision-making: an integral stage in the total group
group members while the group is working 3 changes, forces problem-solving process, similar to individual problem-
generated by the interactions) solving; allows for the pooling of the knowledge, attitudes,
1. Conformity: means yielding to the majority, or the group and resources of each member; motivates a member to do
pressure because of the need for approval or not wishing to his/her best; the presence of members increases the
be different; the need for uniformity of action to achieve probability that one of them will suggest the highest quality
2. Competition: denotes rivalry; decreases creativity, are accepted without careful review of their advantages and
coordination of effort, division of labor, helping and sharing, disadvantages; powerful pressures are exerted on a group
and cohesion; promotes ineffective communication, member who voices objections to what otherwise appeared
suspicion and mistrust, dislike among members, negative to be a group consensus; great importance is given to group
attitudes toward the group and its tasks; lessens effectiveness morale and loyalty.
3. Cooperation: denotes joint efforts; increases creativity, interests, etc., characteristics of a conflict situation: at least
coordination of effort, division of labor, emotional two parties are involved; there is perceived mutually
involvement in group accomplishment, helping and sharing, exclusive goals or values between the parties.
interpersonal skills, cooperative attitudes and values, 7. Group Cohesiveness - the degree to which members of a
positive self-attitudes, liking among group members, group desire to remain in the group; the result of all forces
positive attitudes toward the group and tasks, acceptance of acting on members to remain in the group.
PROGRAM MEDIA Age of group members
Emotional and social characteristics of the members
Refers to the activities, verbal or non-verbal which the group
Cultural and ethnic background of the members
engages in for the purpose of achieving its goals
Physical characteristics of the members
An outline of the program media to be used for a group4the
Mood of the group
output of planning stage of the helping process with
Availability of materials or resources
allowances for revision later
Worker’s skills and capacities
They are tools utilized in order to influence the behavior of
individual members and the group as a whole Procedure for selecting program activities
Uses of program media: 1. Specify program activities that are consistent with group
purposes and goals.
Modify or change attitudes and behavior
2. Specify the objectives of the program activity.
Promote individual values such as emotional and intellectual
3. Specify program activities that can be done given available
growth
facilities, resources, andvthe time available.
Influence group climate
4. List potentially relevant program activities based on
Promote group interaction
members’
Enhance/ enrich group content
1) Interests and motivation
Promote desired group values
2) Age
Facilitate the beginning, middle, and ending stages of group
3) Skill level
life
4) Physical and mental state
Factors in selecting program media: 5) Attention span
Members’ objectives for joining the group 1) Characteristics of the activity, e.g. length,
Goals may be: (1) ultimate-general; or 2) proximate 3 clear Relationship is a primary concern: this approach is often used in
and specific, involving the themes to be worked on and the work with families (Helen Northen, “Psychosocial Practice in Small
specific objectives to be attained in the immediate future. Groups”)
3. Group formation: the members share the problems that unconscious factors.
they will seek to reduce or eliminate by formulating and the major guides to perceiving and evaluating what is
accomplishing agreed-on tasks. happening in the group are: the purpose of the group (why it
4. Group process for task accomplishment: once the tasks was formed), its function (counseling, activity, action); and
have been agreed upon among the members, the social its structure (how it has been organized to achieve its
worker works with them so they can help each other to objectives)
accomplish the tasks within the agreed-on time frame. the life of the group is seen as a continuing series of
engagements with group tasks that involve the members in
In task-centered group work, goal-achievement is the purpose instead
common deliberations, conflict resolution, and task
of the growth or effective functioning of members.
completion
C. Developmental Approach (Emmanuel Tropp)
c. Developmental: concerned with functionality rather than
Major Themes: pathology, abnormality, or illness, with self-actualization rather than
treatment; concerned with building strengths and not analyzing 1. Direct means of influence: interventions to effect change thru
weaknesses. It sees people as being continually able to move forward immediate interactionbwith a group member; face-to-face contact
in a life-long process of self-realization, or fulfilment of potential between worker and group member in thebgroup or outside.
insocial functioning.
4 types:
D. Remedial Model (Robert Vinter)
a. worker as central person - object of identification and drives;
Group work as social treatment b. worker as symbol and spokesperson - agent of legitimate
norms and values;
interactional view of deviance (problematic behavior is
c. worker as motivator and stimulator - definer of individual
generated and maintained thru interaction between the client
goals and tasks;
and individuals and/or situation
d. worker as executive -bcontroller of member9s role
The group as “means and context for treatment”
Treatment Sequence: Intake, Diagnosis and treatment - 2. Indirect means of influence: modify group conditions affecting
Planning; Group Composition and Formation; Group one or more group members (worker acts on and thru the group, its
Development and Treatment; Evaluation and Termination processes and program): a) group purposes (the composite of
individual members9 objectives for belonging to the group); b)
Strategy of Intervention:
selection of group members; c) nature of group activities; d) size of
In this model, Vinter developed a <strategy of intervention= to group; e) group operating and governing procedures; f) group
achieve the treatment goals for individual members with the group as development (worker influences the course of the groups9
the means and context for treatment (the strategy requires the development)
workers to act or not act to <treat= at any given moment throughout
3. Extra-group means of influence
the treatment sequence). This strategy consists of modes of
intervention or “means of Influence”: Activities outside the group, on behalf of the clients; involves “extra
group relations” (behavior or attitudes of persons in the client’s
social environment or of large social systems of clients): a) social
roles and relation of clients prior to client status; b) “significant nature of the service and the contract that exists between the
others” - persons outside the treatment group who have crucial two.
relations with client; c) social systems of which clients are members c. The Task (Middle Phase): search for common ground
(e.g., schools, hospital wards, factories, rehabilitation centers which between the needs of clients and agency/institutions;
can either be resources or barriers to the achievement of treatment challenging and detecting the obstacles that come between
goals); d) social environment of the treatment group: objects, them; worker contributes ideas, facts and values, and shares
persons, and other units collectively encountered by the group 3 his vision of the work, feelings about the process, and faith
makes demands and puts pressures and constraints on the group. in the client9s strengths; worker helps define the limits and
requirements of the situation
E. Interactionist Approach (William Schwartz)
d. Transitions and Endings: essential task is to make a
This approach contends that social worker9s function is to direct transition from one stage of experience to the next: a)
itself not to the individual or the social, but to the relationship temporary endings (one meeting to another until final
between the two; to mediate the transactions between people the separation; b) permanent ending 3 brings the group life to a
various systems thru which they carry on their relationships with close.
society 3 family, peer group, social agency, neighborhood, school,
F. Crisis Intervention Approach
job, etc. (there is a lot of reaching, pressuring, and straining that go
on between people and their institutions, so the need for a force - 1. Crisis:
social worker that will “guard” their symbiotic strivings, and keep
“upset in a steady state”
the interaction alive among them.
“state of disequilibrium” immobilization of problem-solving
Phases: abilities and aspects of daily functioning
Tasks: a) concrete assistance and services b) psychosocial A counsellor explores a difficulty/distress the members may be
intervention experiencing, identify and understand maladaptive patterns and how
to change them (e.g., improve behavior, character, values, etc.
CISD: Crisis Incident Stress Debriefing - a form of crisis
intervention; helps individual in collective crisis (e.g. natural Group counseling techniques
disasters)
Reflection Active Listening
Purpose: to give individuals a safe and comfortable place where they Family therapy helps in understanding and modifying home
can work out problems and emotional issues. Clients/patients gain influences that contribute to mental disorder in one or more family
insights into their own thoughts and behaviour and offer suggestions members, and improving communication and collective, constructive
and support to others. Patients who have difficulty with interpersonal methods of problem-solving.
relationships can benefit from the social interactions that are a basic
Social work with individual clients (Social Casework) often leads to
part of the group therapy experience.
family casework/family therapy.
Precautions: suicidal, homicidal, psychotic, or in the midst of a major
acute crisis are typically not referred for group therapy until their
behavior and emotional state have stabilized. Cognitively impaired
patients (e.g., with organic brain disease or traumatic brain injury
and as well as patients with sociopathic traits) may also be
unsuitable.