THE LESSON STRUCTURE

MODULE No. 2. Lesson No. 2: Thematic Movements of Group goals continuation

Time Frame: Within 1 week

Introduction:

In this module we will talk about the Identifying the types of groups in social work Read through the content of this
module and work on the activity as instructed. Enjoy the learning experience!
Activity:

1. What are the types of groups in social work that you know?
2. What are the roles of social workers in that specific groups?
3. What are the specific goals of each group?

Go back to your answer after thoroughly reading the abstraction…

Abstraction:

Types of Groups

According to Johnson and Johnson, a group may be defined as two or more individuals in face-to-face interaction, each
aware of positive interdependence as they strive to achieve mutual goals, each aware of his membership in the group and
aware of the others who belong to the group.

Social Conversation
Employed to determine what kind of relationship might develop with people who do not know very well. Usually
don’t have a formal agenda so if the topic is dull they can simply change. Although they can have a goal like establish
acquaintance, such goal need not to become an agenda for the entire group.

Recreation/Skills Building
Often activities such as playground games and informal athletics are spontaneous, and groups are practically
leaderless. Some agencies claim that recreation and interaction with others help build character and prevent
delinquency among youths by providing an alternative to street life.

Education
Teach specialized skills and knowledge, such as classes on childrearing, stress management and etc. usually has
a classroom atmosphere, involving considerable group interaction and discussion, often as social worker assumes the
role of a teacher.

Task
Formed to achieve a specific set of tasks or objectives. i.e. a Board of directors is an administrative group
charged with setting the policies governing the programs. A task force is established for a special purpose and
usually disbanded after completing the task. A committee is formed to deal with specifics tasks or matters in an
organization. An ad hoc committee is like a task force and usually set up for one purpose and ceases after completion
of the task.
Problem Solving and decision making
Both provider and consumer are involved concerned in problem solving and decision making. Social workers use
group meetings for objectives such as development of treatment plans for clients or groups of clients and may
function as stimulator and organizers of group efforts. Usually there is a formal leader in this group and other leaders
emerge during the process.
Focus
Closely related to tasked groups and problem-solving groups. Convened to discuss a specific issue or single
topic. Examples of which are nominal groups and brainstorming session. They may be for formed for variety of
purposes including:
1. Identify needs or issues
 2. Generate proposals that resolve an identified issue
3. Test reactions to alternative approaches to the issue.

A representative group is another version. Its strength is that its members are selected specifically to represent
different perspectives and points of view in the community which brings diverse views to the table.

Self-help and mutual aid

Increasingly becoming popular and often successful in helping individuals overcome social or personal problems.
According to Katz and Bender, self-help groups are voluntary usually formed by peers who come together for mutual
assistance in satisfying common need, overcoming common problem, and bringing out desired social and/or personal
change. Alcoholic Anonymous, developed by two recovering alcoholics, was the 1 st self-help group to demonstrate
substantial success. Similar is the mutual aid groups, they are informal or formal associations of people who share
certain problems and meet regularly in small groups with professional leaders to provide support.

Socialization
Primary objective is to develop attitudes and behaviors in group members that are more socially acceptable.
Leadership roles are filled by social workers who work with delinquent youth and make them plan for the future. Older
residents in nursing homes are remotivated by socialization groups and become involved in activities.

Treatment
Generally composed of members with severe emotional, behavioral and personal problems. Leaders of such
groups must have superb counseling and leadership skills. The goal of the group is to explore the problems in depth
and develop strategies in resolving them. There are three treatment approaches:
1. Reality therapy
2. Behavior therapy
3. Rational therapy

4. These approaches can be used to change dysfunctional behavior and unwanted emotions of group members.
There are also a variety of treatment groups

1. Psychoeducational groups
2. Symptom management groups
3. Anger management groups
4. Life skills group
5. Social skills group
6. Process groups
7. Stress management groups
8. Specialty groups
9. Sensitivity and encounter training

Sensitivity and Encounter Training

-Otherwise known as T group

-refers to a group experience in which people relate to each other in a close interpersonal manner and self-disclosure
is required.

Initial Development Groups

-Determining the objectives

-Size
-Open-ended vs. Close ended Groups
-Duration

Sources:

Mendoza, Social work with Groups

Zastrow, Intro to Social work and social welfare
Lindsay, Groupwork Practice in Social Work
Zastrow, Social Work with group