Mode 2: Groupwork Mode Two or Groupwork literally centers on groups, irrespective of whether they are groups designed for therapeutic, educational or administrative purposes for example parent education or personal/social skills education (AASW, 2008). Early definitions of group portrayed it as: ... a method through which the creative use of the social process is achieved. It is a process and a method through which group life is affected by a worker who consciously directs the interaction towards the accomplishment of desirable goals, which in our country are conceived in a democratic frame of reference. And the goals for which the social group work method is used are both individual and social, in that the process of social group work is directed, first, toward helping individuals participate in a qualitative group relationship which enables them to become more effective social beings, and second toward helping the group-as-a-whole to achieve ends significant to the growth and development of a more democratic society (Gertrude Wilson, 1949). …show more content…
The Loss and Grief centre had a vision to identify groups within their community who were experiencing loss, grief, and trauma. Their main focus was on the former British Child Migrants (Irizarry, 2011). According to the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, 6,500 British Child Migrants were sent to Australia; 3,500 before WW1 and 3,000 after WW2 (Irizarry, 2011). This focus group brought together 6 to 10 women whom had a connection of child migration. The meetings consisted of a Flinders University social work staff member and another part-time social worker (Irizarry,
In order to evaluate my role within the group it is important to identify what makes a group. A group must firstly consist of more than three members, “Two members have personal relationships; with three or more there is a change in quality” of the personal relationship. (Bion 1961, p26) The group must have a common purpose or a goal in order to succeed.
What is groupthink? There is a simple definition for it, but is it truly that simple? The term groupthink refers to the inclination of group members to have the same opinions and beliefs; it frequently leads to mistakes. It often occurs without an individual being aware of it. Conflict is considered to be a harmful element when related to groups, but conflict is good when considering groupthink because it helps to eliminate the existence of a groupthink. The explanation sounds simple enough, but it is more complex than the description given.
Toseland, R & Rivas, R 2012, An Introduction to group work practice, 7th edn, Allyn & Bacon, Massachusetts.
The social work profession is one of the primary institutions designed to help people negotiate the complicated systems in which they live. Its efforts have followed three major impulses. The most prominent of these is dealing with people individually, “case by case,” and seeking to remedy the psychological and social conditions that initiated their problems. Theories of responsibility vary among individual and social, moral, economic, and psychological factors–but those who seek help are seen as somehow personally inadequate, and the effort is made to render them more self-sufficient, psychologically stronger, and less dependent on help from the outside. This essay examines theories of group and group dynamics and how they are applied. We will first describe what may be understood by the terms `group`, and `group work` with specific regard to group work theory. We will then examine Schwartz’s theory of the social worker group stage development by describing each stage and relating this theory. This one-on-one approach to human problems is called social casework, and it has been the dominant feature of the social work profession since it’s beginning.
Integrate social group work and group facilitation skills across a wide range of environments, supporting growth and development of individuals, families, and communities.
It is interesting to see the various techniques that social workers are able to use to help individual people. As the chapter mentions, there are various types of groups that are used to benefit individuals: treatment groups (which goals are to directly benefit members), task groups (which is aimed to benefit a broader group of people than themselves). Task groups use various techniques: decision making, nominal group techniques, brainstorming, brain writing, and parliamentary procedure. As discussed in class, social work is a helping profession but it’s also necessary for individuals to feel as though they can change their circumstance. Task groups can help create and implement plans and programs in order to benefit people in the community and society. Through their help, individuals in need are able to have resources (which is crucial
Groups or teams can evolve into high performing, extremely effective, useful tools in any organization if developed and managed correctly. Demographic characteristics and cultural diversity can impact the behavior of groups or teams in positive and some negative ways. Diversity may impede the initial progress of a group; however, the long range benefit to creating high performing teams is great. An effective group is one that achieves high levels of task performance, member satisfaction, and team viability (Schermerhorn, Hunt & Osborne, 2003, p. 2).
Johnson, David W. and Frank P. Johnson (2003) Joining Together. Group theory and group skills 8e. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Group activities can often be very tedious and stressful for some people, but being able to work in a group is a very useful and important skill to have. The five main characteristics of group work are forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. All of these aspects of group work are all very different, yet equally important to maintaining the life of a group. I have experienced all of these aspects in my own personal life when it comes to working in a group, and I believe that following these guidelines with insure the effectiveness of the group.
The three traits I wrote down that I appreciate from others when in a team with them are positive attitude, respect each other and have fun. Attitude has great influence upon the performance of group work. I always look for positives and focus upon all the positives, ultimately the result will also be positive. In group work, it is important that people get along and can work together as a team. By having a positive attitude, I am showing I willing to work and are also making it easier for others to get along with me, which helps to create a positive work atmosphere. For example, no one in this group have show any negative attitude. Even though someday we missing someone in our group, we still able to stay positive and focus the things need
In conclusion a mostly resemble the skills and qualities of a team worker but participation in different groups has led to the development of alternative skills which can be used in group work.
There are five fundamental conditions that recognize a group from a workgroup. To begin with is groups must be genuine. Genuine groups will be gatherings of identifiable individuals who really cooperate to accomplish a typical arrangement of goals. Second is groups require a convincing course. In order for everyone to be pulling in the same direction, they need to understand and embrace a shared purpose (Griffith & Dunham, 2015). The third group requires empowering structures. This implies including the correct number of the correct sort of individuals on the correct undertakings in the correct ways. Fourth is groups require a steady association. Everything must encourage achievement, from the practices and yield that are most prized or compensated, to the structure of the group's kin, frameworks, and procedures. In conclusion, groups require master instructing. An excessive amount of instructing centers around the person when it ought to be centered around collaboration and group process. By and large, to call a to call a gathering a group does not make them a group and longing for them to fill in as a group doesn't
Working together with other people for an assignment can be a challenging task in some cases but luckily, I worked well with my group members. The decisions we made were anonymous although we paced ourselves individually when it came to completing our separate parts of the essay. As a group I believe that we connected well on an interpersonal level as all four of us were able to make alterations to any problem together . Furthermore, we did not give each other a chance to get angry at one another as we knew that this would only cause conflict that would disrupt our flow as a group. There was an equal divide in the amount of work that we all did; our contributions were fair and no one was lacking behind. In addition, my group members were great at keeping each other informed if one of us were not able to attend a group meeting; emails were sent out informing us what we missed and ideas that were formulated. Everyone in my group worked according to deadlines and in synchronization with each other; we did not have to nag anyone to complete work or wait on a member to complete their task.
Understanding the variations between groups is critical in maintaining the group’s purpose. Therapeutic groups are fundamental when engaging in group work practice because they allow workers to focus on goal-directed activities intended to meet the socio-emotional needs of their clients. Furthermore, it is ideal for the facilitator to understand the five developmental stages of group that become extremely helpful in understanding group work practice. Groups that support, educate, socialize, and allow growth is needed within the social work field. Utilizing therapeutic modalities and approaches for groups is necessary to help members reach their treatment goals. Nonetheless, person-centered theory helps social workers understand how to provide clients with a safe and trusting climate, that will lead to self-exploration and awareness of things that have been blocking their growth. Overall the student lead group experience was very rewarding, allowing students the opportunity to experience group work practice through a learning
Doing the group project gave me an opportunity not only to learn about the topic that my group chose, but also have interactions with others when doing interviews and group work. This process helped me understand and experience real life’s working environment and prepare for my future career. The project also strengthened a thing that I considered important in my life: I could not judge people by my own values; sometimes, I had to put myself into one’s position and context to understand them and their behaviors.