Defining And Analysing Groupwork Social Work Essay Essay Example

Defining And Analysing Groupwork Social Work Essay Paper Groups may be defined in many ways, so supplying an absolute definition of a group, as with much of the theory around group work, is extremely debatable and contestable. However for the intents of discoursing groupwork within a context of working with immature people we may specify a group as a little assemblage of immature people. Group work may simplistically be described as the survey and application of the procedures and results experienced when a little group comes together. Konopka ( 1963 ) defines groupwork as a method of societal work that is utilised in order to `help persons to heighten their societal operation through purposeful group experiences, and to get by more efficaciously with their personal, group or community problems` . This definition shows a tradition within groupwork of assisting persons with jobs. Brown provides a modernized and more comprehensive definition of group work ( 1994, p.8 ) . He states that `groupwork provides a context in which persons help each other ; it is a method of assisting groups every bit good as assisting persons ; and it can enable persons and groups to influenceand changepersonal, group, organizational and community problems` ( original accent ) . He goes on to separate between `relatively little and neighbourhood centred` work and `macro, social and political approaches` within community work, explicating that merely the former may be decently classified as groupwork. We will write a custom essay sample on Defining And Analysing Groupwork Social Work Essay specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Defining And Analysing Groupwork Social Work Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Defining And Analysing Groupwork Social Work Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Therefore the function of groupwork can be seen as one which places accent on sharing of ideas, thoughts, jobs and activities. Functions within Groups Each person within a group has a function to play in the development of that group to a greater or lesser extent. Through observation, apprehension of difference, consciousness of personal resourcesand effectual communicating ( Douglas, 1995 ) , each member may impact group procedures and single emotions. Functions develop within groups both through formal assignment and because of the personal features and interpersonal relationships that develop between members. Roles which develop can be constructive and back up the group and its members in accomplishing its ends, or can be destructive and work against the overall group aims. Persons within the group can develop several functions and at times these may struggle. For illustration a PTV member who was designated as leaderfor a specific undertaking, besides played a clownand was fond of practical gags. The gulling about led to a deficiency of trust from other group members making a struggle with the leading function. As the group begins to develop an apprehension of four things can be observed: Observation: the manner we behave is based upon what we observe of ourselves, and what we make of others and their reactions to us. Differences: personally and socially generated ; the effects they have on behaviors and apprehension. Resources: often stemming from difference but are the beginning of possible power for a group and an person. Communication: considered to be natural but capable to many barriers that remain mostly unknown unless a witting attempt is made to happen them: ( Douglas, 1995, p. 80-97 ) A Through supportive functions, groups may play a portion in cut downing subjugation generated externally to the group. Groupwork can be used as a medium for laden groups to `help these groups adjust in society` , and furthermore to assist society to set towards these groups. This can be achieved by `individual rehabilitation` in which we can `help persons to set to societal life and manage aˆÂ ¦ tenseness aˆÂ ¦ addition assurance, high ego esteem` , and in `getting and maintaining employment etc.` . `Societal or community rehabilitation` involves `helping the society to hold meaningful contact` with persons and groups which are discriminated against and laden ( Osei-Hwedie, Mwansa, and Mufune, 1990, p. 188 ) . Preston-Shoot describes groupwork making a `sense of belonging and common identity` promoting `the formation of relationships which foster common designation and influence` , therefore feelings of isolation and uniqueness with issues of difference and subjugation may be reduced. Besides, the group may be encouraged to utilize its internal resources to travel towards single or group `problem-resolution` , cut downing feelings of weakness, constructing self deserving, and detering worker dependence ( Preston-Shoot, 1987, p. 6-28 ) . Smith concurs with this position of the suitableness of groupwork, saying `Groups are obvious sites of interaction and within them a sense of connection or community with others can be fostered` ( Smith, 1994, p.111 ) . This `connectedness` is a valuable tool with which to dispute favoritism and subjugation, for as Piven and Cloward argue, it is merely when we act jointly that alteration can get down ( Piven and Cloward, 1993 ) . Decision: Group Work Double Edged Sword? To province that group work is non an exact scientific discipline is something of an understatement. As we have seen, it is debatable to even specify what is meant by a group as no absolute definition exists. Similarly most, if non all, constructs within group work theory can be, and are, contested. Groups are highly of import in the lives of all persons. Johnson and Johnson ( 1975, p1-2 ) province `many of our ends can be achieved merely with the cooperation and coordination of others` . However `the success of any group depends on the ability of its members to interchange thoughts freely and to experience involved in the life and determinations of the group` ( Massallay, 1990 ) . All groups within young person work have ends, i.e. a future province of personal businesss. It is of import that short term and long term ends are set realistically if the group is to develop and work efficaciously. These maps are achieved through the way of leading and the development of single functions within each group. A group is said to be successful if it: 1.A A A A A accomplishes group undertakings 2.A A A A A maintains the group internally, and ; 3.A A A A A develops and adapts to better effectivity. ( Massallay, 1990 ) Groupwork can be used as an effectual tool for many young person work state of affairss, non least of which is as a medium for disputing subjugation both within groups and persons. Therefore, we have seen the outgrowth and development of misss issue groups and black immature people s undertakings that offer common support every bit good as working to dispute subjugation. Yet we have seen that through the development phases of a groups life there are many chances for persons to develop and concentrate oppressive behavior internally within a group. A appreciation of theoretical apprehension of group behavior and operation can assist to explicate single and group behavior, and assist us to accomplish our ultimate purpose as young person workers, that of informal instruction. It is of import non to handle group work as an exact scientific discipline with unequivocal replies. Indeed many of the questionswe must inquire ourselves are ill-defined, therefore the answersare a best conjecture, or a benchmark that we can develop on and work about. Finally, allow us see briefly the historical context of group work development and the intent it has non merely within young person work, but society at big. As Taylor reminds us `A minute s contemplation shows that the societal groupwork beloved of liberalism is the merchandise of the American capitalist concern to develop more sophisticated direction techniques` ( Taylor, 1987, p. 140 ) . Let us be careful to utilize group work to advance democracy and non fall into the trap of utilizing group work as yet another tool for advancing societal control in a capitalistic province. A © Student Youth Work Online 1999-2001 Please ever cite the writer of this page. References A ; Recommended Reading Adair, J. ( 1988 ) Effective LeadershipLondon: Pan Barker, L. L. , Cegala, D. J. , Kibler, R. J. and Wahlers, K. J. Groups In ProcessNew Jersey, USA: Prentice-Hall Chemical bond, T. ( 1986 ) Games for Social and Life SkillsLondon: Hutchinson Brandes, D. and Phillips, H ( 1977 ) Gamesters HandbookGreat Britain: Stanley Thornes Brown, A. ( 1994 ) Groupwork 3rdEditionGreat Yarmouth: Ashgate Publishing Dearling, A. and Armstrong, H. ( 1994 ) The New Youth Games BookGreat Britain: Russell House Printing Douglas, T. ( 1983 ) Groups: Understanding Peoples Gathered TogetherLondon: Routledge Douglas, T. ( 1995 ) Survival In Groups: The Basics of Group MembershipBuckingham: Open University Press Dynes, R. ( 1990 ) Creative Games in GroupworkGreat Britain: Winslow Imperativeness Garland, J. Jones, H. and Kolody, R. ( 1968 ) `A theoretical account for phases of development in societal workgroups` in Bernstein, S. ( Ed. ) Explorations in GroupworkBoston: Boston University School of Social Work Heap, K. ( 1977 ) Group Theory for Social WorkersGreat Britain: Pergamon Press Konopka, G. ( 1963 ) Social Group Work: a Helping Process Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice Hall Leech, N. and Wooster, A. D. ( 1986 ) Personal and Social Skills A Practical Approach for the ClassroomGreat Britain: RMEP Massallay, J. L. ( 1990 ) `Methods, Techniques and Skills of Youth and Community Work: Community Action and Group Work` Chapter 4. In Osei-Hwedie, K. , Mwansa, L-K. and Mufune, P. ( Eds. ) Young person and Community Work PracticeZambia: Mission Imperativeness Osei-Hwedie, K. , Mwansa, L-K. and Mufune, P. ( 1990 ) Young person and Community Work Practice: Methods, Techniques and SkillsZambia: Mission Imperativeness Piven, F. F. and Cloward, R. A. ( 1993 ) Regulating the Poor: The Functions of Public Welfare USA: Vintage Books Preston-Shoot, M. ( 1987 ) Effective GroupworkHampshire: Macmillan Rogers, C. R. ( 1967 ) `The procedure of basic brush group` In Bugental, J. F. T. ( Ed. ) TheChallenges of Human PsychologyNew York: McGraw-Hill Sessoms, H. Massachusetts, D. and Stevenson, J. L. ( 1981 ) Leadership and Group Dynamics in Recreation ServicesUSA: Allyn and Bacon Smith, M. K. ( 1994 ) Local Education: Community, Conversation, PraxisGreat Britain: Open University Press Taylor, T. ( 1987 ) `Youth Workers as Character Builders` Chapter 9. In Jeffs, T and Smith, M. ( Eds. ) Youth WorkBasingstoke: MacMillan Tuckman, B. W. ( 1965 ) `Developmental Sequences in Small Groups` in Psychological BulletinNo. 63 p. 384-399 hypertext transfer protocol: //youthworkcentral.tripod.com/sean3.htm