Chapter 1 Flashcards
Six developmental stages of a group
- planning
- beginning
- assessment
- middle
- ending
- evaluation
Mcgowan four step process
- formulating answerable questions
- searching for evidence
- critically reviewing the evidence
- applying and evaluating the evidence
art of practice
using critical thinking skills, evidence, practice skills, and accumulated experiences in similar situations to achieve the very best outcomes for group members and others who are affected by the work of the group
half-and-half principle
the importance to focus on group processes as well as the content of the interaction
values
beliefs that delineate preferences about how one ought to behave. they refer to a goal that is worth attaining
group work values
- participation of and positive relations among people of different color, creed, age, national origin, and social class in the group
- the value of cooperation and mutual decision making embodied in the principles of a participatory democracy
- the importance of individual initiative within the group
- the importance of freedom to participate, including expressing thoughts and feelings about matters of concern to individual members or the group as a whole and having the right to be involved in the decision-making process of the group
- the value of high individualization in the group so that each member’s unique concerns are addressed
four key values
- respect and dignity
- solidarity and mutual aid
- empowerment
- understanding, respect, and camaraderie among people from diverse backgrounds
ethical practices with groups
- informed consent
- leader competence and training
- the appropriate conduct of group meetings
Advancement of Social Work with Groups revised set of standards for social work groups
- the essential knowledge and values that underlie social work practice with groups
- the tasks that should be accomplished in each phase of group work
- the knowledge that is needed to carry out the tasks in each phase
Definition of group work
“goal-directed activity with small treatment and task groups aimed at meeting socio-emotional needs and accomplishing tasks. This activity is directed to individual members of a group and to the group as a whole within a system of service delivery and a larger community and societal environment”
small group
implies the ability of members to identify themselves as members, to engage in interaction, and to exchange thoughts and feelings among themselves through verbal, nonverbal, and written communication processes
Formed groups
those that come together through some outside influence or intervention
natural groups
come together spontaneously based on naturally occurring events, interpersonal attraction, or the mutually perceived needs of members
purpose
general aims of a group
treatment group
a group whose major purpose is to meet members’ socio-emotional needs
task group
any group in which the overriding purpose is to accomplish a goal that is neither intrinsically nor immediately linked to the needs of the members of the group
helper-therapy principle
those who provide help derive therapeutic benefit themselves
advantages of group treatment
empathy from multiple sources, feedback, helper-therapy, hope, mutual aid, normalization, practice of new behaviors, reality testing, recapitulation, recreation of the family of origin, resources, role models, solidarity, socialization, social support, transcendence, validation, vicarious learning
intellective vs. judgmental tasks
groups tend to be more effective than individuals when with problems with known solutions rather than with problems where there is no clear right or wrong answer
group work purposes - rehabilitation
restoring members to their former level of functioning
group work purposes - habilitation
helping members grow and develop
group work purposes - correction
helping members who are having problems with social laws or more
group work purposes - socialization
helping members learn how to get along with others and do what is socially acceptable
group work purposes - prevention
helping members develop and function at an optimal level and helping them prepare for events that are likely to occur
group work purposes - social action
helping members change their environment
group work purposes - problem solving
helping members resolve complex issues and concerns
group work purposes - developing social values
helping members develop a humanistic approach to living
six primary purposes for treatment groups
- support
- education
- growth
- therapy
- socialization
- self-help
support groups
can be distinguished from other groups using supportive intervention strategies by their primary goals: to foster mutual aid, to help members cope with stressful life events, and to revitalize and enhance members’ coping abilities so they can effectively adapt to and cope with future stressful life events
examples of support groups
- a group of children meeting at school to discuss the effects of divorce on their lives
- a group of people diagnosed with cancer, and their families, discussing the effects of the disease and how to cope with it
- a group of recently discharged psychiatric patients discussing their adjustment to community living
- a group of single parents sharing the difficulties of raising children alone
educational groups
primary purpose is to help members learn new information and skills
examples of educational groups
- an adolescent sexuality group sponsored by a family planning agency
- a wellness-in-the-workplace group designed by a social worker directing an employee assistance program
- a group for prospective foster parents sponsored by a child welfare agency
- a group sponsored by a community planning agency to help board members become more effective
growth groups
offer opportunities for members to become aware of, expand, and change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regarding themselves and others
examples of growth groups
- an encounter group for married couples
- a values-clarification group for adolescents
- a consciousness-raising group sponsored by a women’s community center
- a gay-pride group sponsored by a community health clinic serving the gay community in a large urban area
therapy groups
help members change their behavior, cope with and ameliorate personal problems, or rehabilitate themselves after physical ,psychological, or social trauma
examples of therapy groups
- a psychotherapy group for outpatients at a community mental health center
- a group, sponsored by a voluntary health association, for people who want to stop smoking
- a first-offenders group in a juvenile diversion program sponsored by a probation department
- a hospital-sponsored group for people addicted to drugs
socialization groups
help members learn social skills and socially accepted behavior patterns so they can function effectively in the community
examples of socialization groups
- a Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) activity group
- a social club for outpatients of a psychiatric center
- a monthly Vietnam veterans evening social at a rural Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post
- a Parents Without Partners group that includes picnics, dances, and other social activities
3 common forms of socialization groups
- social skills groups
- governance groups
- recreation groups
social skills group
formed for adults who wish to improve their existing skills. Social skills groups can be particularly useful for individuals who are unable or unwilling to communicate effectively and for those who have difficulty engaging in satisfying social relationships
governance group
found in residential settings, such as group homes, psychiatric hospitals, and congregate housing. The purpose of these groups is to involve residents in the daily governance of the institution
Recreational groups
particularly important for working with children, adolescents, and older adults in neighborhood centers
self-help groups
the distinguishing characteristic of self-help groups is that they are led by members who share the problem experienced by the other members of the group
examples of self-help groups
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Mended Hearts
- Make Today Count
- Gamblers Anonymous
3 primary purposes of task groups
- meeting client needs
- meeting organizational needs
- meeting community needs
