Group work

Introduction
• Human being is a social animal; they can’t live without the social interaction, and
community life. Social interaction is one of the indirect ways learning by doing.
• For example, child learns with his own group and also takes knowledge from the groups
that are child focused or any others.
• The social groups working for the children play important role in individual child life.
Group first assesses the ability and weakness of a child and then relates him /her
accordingly to other groups with in the child reach in a school, community or an
institution.
• The establishment of satisfying group life outside the family is pre- requisite for effective
social living, which every individual must accomplish though out his life. To some children
it comes naturally for others it may have to be developed and foster.
 Cont`
• So group addresses those who need care for the development of social habit that
further help them in social development.
• Mutual give and take policy enables the members of the child group and assistance
from the outside group to evolved mutually satisfying social relationship among
themselves.
• An early childhood good experience being with family or assisted by the groups
developed positive attitude of the children that goes along with his/her life.
• So group intervention aim is to give a constructive and satisfying group experience
to children and individuals.
 Cont`
• Social group work does not concentrate on individual alone.
• It helps in educational development and cultural growth of the members of
the groups.
• The worker is interested in helping the individuals through guided group
interaction.
 What is a group
• A group is made up of two or more people who are sharing the same values
,activities, who meet face to face .
• Examples , family , Substance abuse groups.
 Social group work definitions
• Social group work is that method of social work, which helps individuals in the
improvement of their social functioning and the achievement of desirable social
goals.
• Social group work is the method which helps the individuals to enhance the social
functioning through purposeful group experience and cope more effectively with
their problems.
• According to H. B. Trecker, group work is “A process and a method through
which individual groups in social agency setting are helped by a worker to relate
themselves to other people and to experience growth opportunities in accordance
with their needs and capacities”.
 Cont`
• Murphy in Konopka (1983) , defines social group work as a method of
rendering service to persons through providing experience in a group.
• Social group work is a method of social work that helps persons to
enhance their social functioning through purposeful group experiences and
to cope more effectively with their personal, group or community problems
(Marjorie Murphy, 1959).
• Social group work is a generic method which can be used in different
settings.
 Social group
• Social group in the ordinary sense means that any collection of more than
one individual, but sociologically it is a collection of individuals interacting
with each other under a recognized structure.
• A social group is always motivated by some common goals and interests,
characterized by some rules and regulations (formal and informal), which
regulates the behavior of its members.
 Cont`
The following are some of the essential characteristics, which distinguish a
group from a non-group:
• Collection of individuals
• Psychological interaction.
• Common goals and interaction.
• Group norms
 Types of groups
There are two types of groups
• Primary groups (Natural groups )
• Secondary groups (formed groups)
 Primary group
• It is a small group in which a small number of persons come in to direct contact
with one another. They meet face to face for mutual help, companionship and
discussion of common questions. They live in the presence and thought of one
another.
The characteristics can be achieved in the following ways:
• Face to face interaction among the members.
• Mutual aid among themselves
• Realization of common problems among the group members.
 Cont`
The primary group is the primary in the sense that the members within the
group are emotionally, attitudes, ideas and habits of individual develop with this
group and these things depend upon:
• Frequency of interaction among themselves.
• The duration of interaction among the members.
• Intensity of social context.
• Common object of interaction among the members
 Characteristics of Primary Group
• Intimate feelings and close relationship.
• A group may be called primary because it has exerted an influence in the early life of a man
that is before other groups could influence him.
• Family in this sense is a primary group because its influence over the child at the earliest.
• In a primary group, men do the same thing together with the cooperation of each other.
• Their relations are face to face to achieve their common interest. All the members
participate in this process and they share common experience and have a common aim.
 Cont`
Thus in a primary group:
• There is physical closeness among members.
• The members have common aims.
• The relations of the members are an end in them.
• The relations of the members are spontaneous.
• Members have personal relations.
• There is continuity in the relations of the members
 Secondary Group

• Secondary group is one, which is large in size; city, political party and labour union
etc.
• Here the human contacts are undefined and superficial.
• They have direct influence over the others.
• They know personally only few members and their function.
• . According to Paul Landis “Secondary groups are those that are relatively casual
and impersonal in their relationship. Relationship in them is usually complicated
rather than mutually helpful”.
Difference between Primary and Secondary
group:
The following are the main points of difference between primary and secondary
group:
• Size: Primary group is small in size as well as in area. The membership is
limited to small number and usually confined to a defined area. It is not
spread over the wide world. In a secondary group, the membership and area
is large. The membership is scattered in different parts of the world.
 Cont`
Types of structure:
• Every secondary group is regulated on formal rules.
• A formal authority is set up with designated powers and clear-cut division of
labour in which function of each other is specified in relation to the function of all
the rest fellows.
• Primary group is based on informal structure. The members participate in the same
process. There is spontaneous adjustment in the working of the group. There is no
formal and detail. The structure is simple in the primary group
 Cont`
• Kind of co-operation:
• In a primary group, the members directly cooperate with each other,
participating in the same process. They sit together, discuss together, play
together and decide together.
• In a secondary group, the cooperation with the fellow members is indirect.
The members cooperate only to achieve the group’s objectives. It is not the
process that binds them together but the object to whose attainment, they
unite. They do not work together but one work for the other.
 Cont`
• Relationship:
• In the primary group, the relationships of the members are direct and
personal. They meet face to face and develop direct contacts. In the
secondary group, the relationships are not direct and personal because they
do not live in same place and thought of one another. They just work with
each other and see each other.
 Groups associated with social work practice

• The main groups in Social Work Practice are THERAPY and TASK groups.

Therapy groups
• The groups are formed to deal with physical challenges eg people with disabilities , people involved in
accidents.
• Therapy has to do with treatment
• Therapy is also used to help addicts
• The aim is to enable victims to be rehabilitated or to enable them to live a life copying with their physical
challenges.
 Cont`
• Therapy groups are also used to enhance personal growth , sustainability and
development of their members.
• There also known as psyche or psychotherapy or support groups
• Eg Family therapy , Alcohol Anonymous groups
 Cont`
Is appropriate to:
• skill training,
• role development,
• relationship enhancement,
• short term treatment with groups, couples and families.
• Examples of are were it can apply–family therapy, marriage guidance, play therapy
for disturbed children and Alcohol anonymous groups.
•
 Task group
• Focuses on problem solving and action
• Are also called ACTION, PROBLEM SOLVING, WORK or SOCIO
groups.
• Examples –Cooperatives –e.g. housing cooperatives in Zimbabwe, youth
groups, tenants/residents associations, etc.
• Designation of a group indicates the central aim of the group, rather than its
total function and method, i.e. there is often an overlap.
 Effects or advantages of group therapy

• [Link] allows people to receive support and encouragement from other

members of the group. People in the group are able to see that there are
others going through the same problem, which can help them feel less alone.
• 2. Group can serve as role models to other group members .By seeing that
there is hope and recovery is possible. As each person progress, they can in
turn serve as role models and support figure for others.
 Cont`
• 3. Group therapy is very cost effective .
Instead of focusing on just one client at a time, the therapist can devote much
time to a larger group.
• 4. Group therapy offers a safe haven
It allow people to practice behaviours and action within the safety and security
of the group.
• 5. It helps a person to have new positive sense of self
 Action/ task groups
• Are formed to deal with a specific problem that the community has faced eg
out break of a disease , high crime rate eg theft .
• People work together in order to find a way to mitigate the problem eg theft
people might form neighbor hood watches .
 BRIEF HISTORY OF SOCIAL
GROUPWORK
• Historically social work began early this century in the USA out of a growing
concern to democratize various institutions and to help different groups of
people with common needs and difficulties, e.g. growing immigrant
communities with their own ethnic identities, labour movements/trade
unions, youth movements, e.g. Girl and Boy Scouts, providing recreational
activities, urban community movements developing facilities and better
housing and other services.
 Cont`
• Originally Casework (attributed to the work of Mary Richmond and the
Charity Organizations Society) had been the main method of social work and
services were provided in a highly paternalistic and moralistic way , labeling
receivers as deserving or undeserving and focusing blame for misfortune on
the individual rather than on socio-economic factors beyond individual
control.
 Cont`
• Services were provided in an authoritarian way, as from a giver to a passive
receiver and services could be withheld –a powerful mechanism of control
practised, e.g. by the Salvation Army, which could refuse to its hostels and
meals unless the recipient attended religious services and declared
him/herself to be a Christian.
 Cont`
• Group work on the other hand emphasized mutual self-help, democratic
control and power sharing, with individuals actively participating in and
developing their own services and solutions to problems on a collective basis
• This mutuality and common respect and control remain important in Group
work practice today.
 Why do people join groups
• Interpersonal attraction –attraction to members of the group (issues of
propinquity and interaction (Bovard ,1956), Palmore(1955).
• Proximity, contact and interaction (propinquity-physical distance between
individuals, contact situations where individuals are together regularly are
together regularly and interaction situations where behaviour of each person
influences the other (seat neighbors in classes were more likely to become
acquainted. Physical attractiveness –perception of beauty or handsomeness
(in a given culture) e.g in a dating behaviour.
 Cont`
• Similarity –by race, sexual, religion, education, ethnicity, age etc. Individuals
are attracted to those who are similar to themselves.
• Perceived ability of others –Some or most people prefer to work or associate
with individuals who have been successful previously in solving problems.
• Attraction to the goals of the group-individuals may be attracted to join a
group because they enjoy its activities and also value its goals or purposes
[Link] fundraising for a charity group or church group etc.
 Cont`
• Group activities: one may be attracted to or enjoys the things that are
enjoyed by the group members. A person may join a soccer club or watch the
match because they find the social activities pleasant.
• Group membership –membership in a group to an individual may be
rewarding –apart from the particular individuals who are members of the
group, the group activities or the purposes of the group. Affiliation want
-one of the functions of affiliation is to reduce anxiety.
 Aim and objectives of the Group,
Social group work has many objectives to help the individuals of the groups and
community. The following are some of them:
• To teach the individuals to live and work together and to participate in the activities
of a group for their intellectual, emotional and psychological growth.
• To solve problems of adjustment by developing personality of individuals through
group process.
• To give opportunity to those who have potentialities of leadership.
• To make the best use of leisure time of the people.
• To learn the division of Labour and specialization of roles.
 Cont`
• Group therapy helps patients who are in need of physical, mental and
emotional adjustment.
• To prepare the people for social change.
• To transmit knowledge, experience and skill to one another.
• To encourage the individual as member of the group to express their
feelings, ideas and desires.
• To reduce isolation.
 Cont`
• To create group feelings and sense of belongings in the members of the
group.
• To establish social relationship among them.

In short, social group work provides a training ground for democratic life.
Thus, social group work has proved equally beneficial to individuals, groups
and community.
 Purpose of the Group

• The broad objectives of the group work are similar to social work profession as a whole.
• Social group work tries to enrich community life by helping individual learn how to take
responsibility for their own behavior and how to take to become participating members of
the group.
• Thus the member of the group become socially mature and learns how to work as a team.
• The programmes must be based on social needs and support of the community.
• Participation in-group activities lead to their personal satisfaction and social advancement
 Cont`
• . Group work seeks to provide opportunities for planned group experiences that
are needed by all people.
• As a specialized technique, group work seeks to provide a group setting in place of
old institutions like joint family and neighbor hood etc. that once used to provide a
healthy group life experience so essential for the development of an integrated
personality
• The object of social group work is to provide a kind of experience in a controlled
environment, which enables the members to participate freely and effectively in
varying group situation.
 Cont`
• Social group provides a training ground for democratic life .
• The group members imbibe democratic values and get experience in conducting
themselves in a democratic way.
• Democratic experience has educative and liberalizing effects on the participants, which is
likely to make them democratic in outlook
• Group work has a preventive aspect also. The problem of delinquency (criminal behavior)
is most due to poor unhealthy conditions. So that it is important to start preventive
programme in order to check the occurrence of several social problems.
• Group work activity is integral part of such programme. Prevention is better than cure. So
group work has proved equally beneficial to individual, grouped and communities
 Principles of Social Group Work:

• The group worker must understand the basic principles of social group work and
must be guided by them in his professional practice.
• Principles are guiding statements that have come from experience or research.
• Their generalizations are based upon what has been observed good practice with
groups in different situations.
• The purpose of these principles is to guide the group worker who needs knowledge
of the individuals and groups’ behavior and social conditions as well as the ability
to work efficiently with the group of people.
 H. B Trecker -Social Group Work – Principles

• H. B Trecker in his masterpiece “Social Group Work – Principles and Practice”,

has given the following principles of social group work:
Principle of planned group formation:
• The group is the basic unit through which individuals are helped to grow physically,
socially, culturally and psychologically.
• The first task of the group worker is to form a group.
• The group workers should be aware about the needs and resources of the group
and also their potentialities limitations and the cultural values of the areas.
 Principle of helping or enabling function

• The function of the group worker is helping or enabling function. So, he

should solve his problems on self-help basis.
• The objective should be according to the wishes and capabilities and help
them for the solution of their problems within their own resources through
self-help basis
 Principle of purposeful relationship
• Group work method requires the worker to form purposeful relationship
with group members, which means that they should focus on the needs of
the people, which are expressed by the members.
• We can achieve such relationship through self-knowledge and self
disciplined.
 Principle of organization:
• The organization of the group should be flexible, should be adjustable in
various situations.
• It should change with the needs of the group and according to the change
situations for the smooth function of the group.
 Principle of self decision or planning
• The group must be helped to make its own decision, its own planning and
programmes and the members should take the responsibility according to
their ability.
 Principle of programme acceptance
• The members of the group according to their capabilities, educational level,
needs, experience and socio-economic level should accept Programme of the
group.
• These programmes should progress in relation to the developing capacity of
the group.
 Principle of people
• Without acceptance this programme by the people it cannot give the good results.
• The social group worker should convince the people to accept this programme,
which is aimed at the solution of their felt needs.
• They people should accept the advice to solve their mutual respect and love
increases the good relationships, which helps in understanding of social group
worker and group and for the solution of the problems and for the development of
the programme.
 Principle of best utilization of resources

• The group and community resources should be utilized in relation to the

group and individual needs for the benefits of the group as a whole.
 Principle of individualization:
• The individual should be convinced in a way that he should feel to contribute
to the group welfare.
• However the individual and the group should feel for the development and
new changes in the community
 Principle of evaluation
• The continuous evaluation of the group work process and the progress is essential.
• The group worker should evaluate the progress in accordance with the prescribed
standard.
• In Pakistan, social group work method is used in community centers, hospitals, and
educational and other institutions.
The principles of social group work can successfully apply not only in the limited
fields but also in the larger fields of social welfare and even in working with other
political, social and religious group.
 Principle of group work by Douglas
• Recognition and subsequently action in relationship to the uniqueness of the
difference of each individual
• Genuine acceptance of each individual with his or her strength .
• Purposeful relationship between group worker and group members.
• Encouragement and enabling of health cooperation of group worker and
group members.
 Cont`
• Encouragement of each member to participate according to capacity and
ability.
• Enabling members to become capable
• Enabling members to involve themselves in the process of problem solving.
• Provision of opportunity for new and different experience in relationship and
accomplishment
 Cont`
• On going evaluation of individuals and group progress.
• Social work must accept members as er are without condemning their
behavior this include deep understanding of members as well as knowledge
and values relating to human beings.
 ETHICS AND VALUES IN GROUPWORK

• Values are abstract proposition of what is right, desirable and worthwhile.

• Ethics-rules of conduct governing a particular group i. e dignity and worth of a
person, social justice, mutual responsibility
• Based on conviction that people are interdependent for survival and fulfilment of
their needs.
• They are capable of helping each other
• Mutual aid-the process whereby the reciprocal relations among people are used for
helping each other.
 Group formation
• In social work groups are formed when a social worker identifies problems in
his/her clients and brings them together since they will be sharing a common
problem.
• They interact with each other and learn to depend on each other`s input.
• The formation of groups can easily be obtained by dealing on how many
people can be in a group.
• The group formation may be because of an activity that needs to be do
 REASONS FOR GROUP FORMATION

• To identify potentials
• To ameliorate problems
• To reach a certain goal
• To save time
• To identify problem areas
 ADVANTAGES OF A GROUP
• Group membership commonly ends sense of isolation many clients feel.
• listening to others who describe how they solved their problems brings hope to clients that his/her
problems.
• The group provides a client with the source of feedback about those behaviours that are irritating
or acceptable to others.
• At the same time, the feedback is a source of support for small and achievements in the group and
as a result the group contributes to improved self-assessment for the individual client.
• Frequent and variety opportunity for mutual reinforcement, clients find reinforcement from other
group members more powerful than reinforcement from the group worker for example a group of
drug addicts.
 Cont`
• Problems can be solved quickly since one can get many ideas as a solution of a
problem.
• Group work is also good in that it helps other members to learn or absorb the rare
skills needed. Members bring their own expertise to the groups hence the process
of innovation speeds up as the people bring different helpful ideas.
• There are various views involved which mean that people will evaluate the work
from different angles and the chances of mistakes are reduced.
• Teamwork also reduces the work burden and can improve the quality of work.
 DISADVANTAGES OF GROUP WORK

• Anti-therapeutic norms occasionally develop and may be maintained if the

group worker does not deal with them.
• It is difficult to individualise each client in the group than in individual
therapy e. g for efficiency, the group worker is continually looking for
common goals to pursue and may therefore overlook the unique needs of an
individual.
• Confidentiality is very difficult to maintain in groups, in the therapeutic,
confidentiality and the consequences of breaching needs a group worker to
deal with it in pre-group screening and early group sessions so that all
members conform to appropriate standards of conduct
 Cont`
• Working with groups requires an extensive repertoire of skills and training to
be found minimally effective, unfortunately such programs are not
ubiquitously found in psychology, social work counselling, psychiatry or
other professional training program.
• Groups cause unnecessary conflicts sometimes which may result in fights
and put the whole project in a dead lock.
• Disagreements may delay decisions and causes hard feelings.
• It is time consuming to create a group.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GROUP
MEMBERS
Cartwright & Zander(1968:48) noted that members of a group display the
following characteristics:
• They engage in frequent interaction.
• Define themselves as members of a group.
• They are defined by others as belonging to the group.
 Cont`
• They share norms concerning matters of common interest.
• They participate in a system of interlocking roles.
• They identify with one another as a result of having set up the same
model-object or ideas in their superego.
• They find the group rewarding.
• They pursue promotively interdependent goals.
 Stages of group development
According to Douglas (1976) there five stages of group development
1. Forming
2. Norming
3. Storming
4. Performing
5. Mourning / termination
 Forming
• A group starts because of a specific purpose eg studying , substance abuse ,
chronic disease.
• At this stage members form impressions about others in the group eg may
like or dislike each other
• People also want to establish their own positions in the group .
• There is interaction ie verbal ad non- verbal communication .
 Role of social worker at the forming stage
• Leader – play a dominant role because at this stage team members `s roles
and responsibilities are not clear.
• Facilitator- assist in the process of group working.
• Organiser – bring up the people together .
• Coordinator- coordinator the formation of the group and also clarify the
role of the group.
 Norming stage
• New members develop rules and guidelines for the group.
• Group members set rules eg how to select members.
• Eg roles taken by the members gate keeper, clown , mediater
• Roles are signed eg leader can be called chairperson .
• Leader is selected by the group members
• Scapegoat is also found in the group .
Role of social worker at the norming stage
• Educator – on how to choice roles
• Organiser - make sure that the rules they make are in accordance with the
group goals.
 Storming
• The group discuss on the issues they want to tackle in the group , how are
they going to achieve the stipulated goals.
• Eg Alcohol Anonymous Group may have strategies such as personal
testimonies, discussions , outings.
• Some people with hidden agendas are included .
• Conflicts may also arise
Role of social worker at the storming stage
• Investigator – investigate about the subgroups and conflicts which may
hinder progress in the group .
• Mediator- because it is characterized by conflict the social worker help group
members to handle conflicts .
 Performing stage
• The group carries out specific planned tasks and activities for which the
group was set up for.
• The strategies for achieving the goals are implemented eg – discussions ,
personal testimonies , campaigns etc.
• However , during the implementation stage subgroups may wan to pursue
hidden agendas
• The period of the performing stage takes time .
 Role of social worker at the performing stage

• Educator – providing information that is needed by the group

• Broker – linking people to resources.
• Consultant – group members may consult the group worker for help.
• Investigator - investigate the subgroups who have hidden agendas.
 Mourning / termination
• Douglas (1976) states that the stage is referred to the mourning stage
because people have to part ways or separate which is painful because of the
relationship which would have been created.
• Termination can be planned or natural
• When it is planned it ends when the group goals have been achieved or when
the resources are finished .
• Can also continue when the group member/s can continue alone
 Cont`
• Termination can also occur when group goals are not achieved or there is
little potential of the achieving the goals.
• Natural termination occurs when –
1. When group members are no- longer interested
2. When group members become ill.
3. Poor leadership.
 Role of social worker at the mourning stage

• Evaluator – evaluate if the group has accomplished the stated goals

• Therapist – since many group members will be distress the social worker has
to help people to let go.
• Enabler – help group members to be independent
 Important points to note
For a group to develop properly through the stages of development they should do
the following ;
• Rotate the responsibility of group facilitation
• Purpose of the group must be clear to everyone and should be revised
• Ground rules should be established and monitored .
• It is important to help groups to know that conflict is normal and also necessary
for group development.
• Group must be reminded to listen to each other.
 Group dynamics
• Group dynamics refers to a field of enquiry dedicated to achieving knowledge
about the nature of groups , the laws of their development and inter-relation.
• It is interested on how groups function (Douglas,1976)
• Group dynamics refers to a system of behaviors psychological and process
occurring within a social group or between social groups.
• Lewin (1951) defined group dynamics as the scientific study of groups, also the
actions, process and change that occur in social groups.
• Kurt Lewin used the term dynamic to stress the powerful impact of these social
processes on group members.
 Cont`
• Lewin’s 1951 theory of group dynamic assumed that ‘groups are more than the sum
of their parts’.
• The behavior of people in groups is determined by the interaction of the person
and the environment.
• Group dynamics is the interactions that influence the attitude and behavior of
people when they are grouped with others through either choice or accidental
circumstances.
• It is a group of behaviors and way of thinking that occurs within a social group and
between social groups.
 Leadership styles
• Leadership is the ability to exercise power, influence the behavior of others .
• There are three leadership styles namely democratic, authoritarian /
autocratic and laissez –faire
 Democratic
• All policies or issues are a matter of group discussion and decision but
assisted and encouraged by the leader.
• Leader seeks and provides alternatives for members to choose.
• Members are free to choose who they want to work with in order to
accomplish the stipulated goal .
• The leader is objective and is a regular participant in tasks or discussions .
 Advantages of using the democratic style
• Group members cooperate and the intended tasks are accomplished .
• Conflict are minimal because people `s views are also considered
• High morale .
• Consider the other points we discussed
Disadvantages
It is not effect during crisis times .
Decisions may sometimes take time .
 Authoritarian / autocratic
• The leader had the final say in decisions .
• Activities are dictated by him one step at a time so members do not know
the future.
• People end up being dependent on the leader .
• The leader has self praise and usually criticize others .
• The leader does not participate in work expect during demonstrations (aim
is to remain in charge ).
 Cont`
• Leader is competitive and hostile
• Exploits and manipulates group members
 Advantages and disadvantages
Advantage
• It is sometimes to use when there is a crises
• Useful when people can not reach a consensus
Disadvantages
• Members are dependent on the leader thus members will are not empower
• Low morale
• Lack of innovation because members are no consulted
• Group members may end up withdrawing from the group.
 Laissez- Faire
• Do as you wish
• The group has complete freedom to decide and perform tasks.
• Leader performs when asked to do so.
• The group has overall responsibility of activity and outcome.
 Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
• Innovation – because members are able to say own ideas
• Empowerment – people will be able to be self – sufficient since members do
not depend on leaders .
• High morale
Disadvantages
Confusion and disorder because members do want they want
 Cont`
NB
• The study of leadership have important practical implication for the social
group workers ` own role as a forward leader of client group .
• A good leadership style is most profitable for the group members.
• It also helps the group work to understand some of the tensions and
problems which arise in social work agencies and institutions.
 Group composition
• Group composition has got an effect on group performance on tasks for
which the group was formed to perform.
• Also group composition is usually considered in terms of how individuals’
characteristics will affect the group cohesion or compatibility and
subsequently how the group interacts.

• Group composition can have intended or unintended effects on the group

dynamic
 Cont`
• Researchers have noted that the combination of positive interdependence
and heterogeneity in group membership affects group performance in the
several ways including: .
1. Personal attributes –including demographic, personality and values and
attitudes.
2. Abilities and skills (both technical and social).
 Cont`

• These findings were based on a study of three tasks which were:

• a. Performance on clearly defined production tasks.
• b. Performance on cognitive or intellective tasks.
• c. Creative idea generation and decision making related to ambiguous judgmental
tasks.
• Performance of tasks requires the proficient use of perceptual and motor skills to
be productive. According to Clement and Schiereck (1973) performance of tasks is
higher in groups whose members are homogenous in demographic characteristics.
 Cont`

• However, Terborget al (1976) found attitude heterogeneity to be unrelated to

performance in a longitudinal study of student groups working on land
survey tasks.
• Jackson (1992) found that groups composed of members with
heterogeneous technical abilities perform better on tasks than groups with
members composed of members with homogeneous technical abilities.
 Cont`

• According to Pelz(1956) more productive scientists’ engineers tended to

create informal communication networks with similar peers. Productivity
among scientists and engineers was positively correlated to the extent to
which they were in frequent contact with colleagues whose training and
experience were different from their own. Such networks resemble loosely
structured heterogeneous groups.
 Cont`
• Heterogeneity of heterogeneous abilities can facilitate performance e.g.
Volers found that heterogeneous abilities facilitated performance of B-29
bomber crews when crews would use the advantage of the ability
heterogeneity by assigning members to tasks to which they were best suited.
• Jones found that athletic teams with more diverse skills e.g. both offensive
and defensive units, have been found to outperform teams with less diverse
skills.
Disadvantages of homogeneity relationship

• 1. Homogeneous groups may lack the controversy and clash of perspectives that
are essential to high quality decision making and creative thinking. Too many
members who think alike and see the world the same make a very dull and
mediocre group.
• 2)Homogeneous groups tend to avoid risks
• 3. Homogeneous groups frequently engage in group think.
• 4. Homogeneous groups tend to function best in a static situation. They have
difficulty adapting to changing situations.
 Conclusions on group composition
• In considering member heterogeneity it is difficult to determine what attributes are
important in affecting team performance e.g. personality, attitude, gender,
ethnicity, skills and abilities.
• No attribute is likely to make much difference in the complexity of real work. It will
be necessary to study and analyse simultaneously the impact of various attributes,
e.g. impact of gender, ethnicity, age, cognitive style, etc.
• It is important to use heterogeneity in the group to achieve maximum possible
benefits for the group since the tasks that the group have to perform are complex
and varied and require perceptual and motor performance, intellective
performance, creativity and judgemental decision making.
 Cont`
• It is difficult to determine what is and what not diversity is.
• Turner (1987) on self categorisation theory says that group phenomena e.g.
cohesiveness and cooperation are influenced by self categorization of group
members. Psychologically in-groups form when people view themselves as
relatively similar to each other on some dimensions and relatively different
from the comparison of others who are seen as the “out-group”. So to judge
whether a group is heterogeneous or homogeneous in relation to an attribute
it is important to consider how the attribute is distributed among team
members.
 Con`
• Little is known about precisely how group composition and tasks interact to
affect performance. In the real world then it is impossible to make
recommendations on using heterogeneous groups.
• Group members are simultaneously heterogeneous and homogeneous. Every
person has many characteristics and abilities. Persons who are homogeneous
on one or two attributes are heterogeneous on others. Group members that
are heterogeneous on several attributes still share common attributes.
 Group size and interaction
• Group size is a very sensitive factor in any group.
• Group may be either large or small.
• The formation of subgroups is affected by group size depending on the
purpose and function of group .
 Cont`
• A group is not actually limited to a specific number, however smaller groups are
more effective than bigger ones.
• It is worth bearing in mind that small numbers do not automatically guarantee
success.
• The size of a group influences its nature in many ways for example a group with
only two or three members pose many unique characteristics simply because it
includes a few members.
• According to Hare (1976) as group increase in size they tend to become more
complex and more formally structured
 Large groups
• According to Holt (1962) , large group is generally, when group increases in
size .
 Disadvantages of a large group
• When a group became too large for its purpose it pushes certain members
out to the periphery and deny them access to lines of communication or
control.
• When decisions have to be taken for example, on activities the marginalized
members are known to be at the disadvantage .
• Many group members tend to be less satisfied with activities done or their
performance.
 Cont`
• A lot of subgroups are created with creates a lot of conflicts within the group as a
result group activities are sometimes not performed or group may end up
terminating.
• Due to the increased tensions the number of time one has to communicate with
others decreases .
• Unincreased number of individuals will either feel threatened or inhibited.
• Social loafing increases
• Communication problems may arise
 Advantages of large groups
• The resources of the group increase for example, more ideas ( innovation)
• The time of getting the job done is reduced but this may lower the efficiency of
other members.
• The range of ideas increases but , the difficult of agreement may also be increased .
• Very large groups like mobs, crowds or congregations also have unique qualities.
• Larger groups allow agencies to be more efficient, but only if they are reasonably
effective.
 Disadvantages and advantages of small groups

NB – USUALLY THE ADVANTAGES OF A LARGE GROUPS

BECOMES THE DISADVANTAGES OF THE SMALL GROUPS.
THE DISADVANTAGES OF THE LARGE GROUPS BECOMES THE
ADVANTAGES OF THE SMALL GROUPS.
 GROUP INTERACTION AND
COMMUNICATION
• Communication is the process of using signs, words, sounds or behaviour to
express or exchange information or to express your ideas, thoughts, feelings
to someone else.
• A process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a
common system of symbols, signs or behavior.
 Cont`
• Interaction is a kind of action that occurs as two or more objects or people
have an effect upon one another or reciprocal action or influence.
For a collection of people to be defined as a group the members must:
• Interact with one another
• Be socially attracted to each other
• Share goals or objectives
• Have a shared identity which distinguishes them from other people
 Types of interaction
There are two types of interaction

• Social interaction i.e. formation of friends

• Task interaction i.e. the way the members cooperate to achieve goals
 Types of communication
• There are 4 main patterns of communication which are chain, wheel, circle,
and y.

Circle:
• the seating is side by side nobody is in front and nobody is behind
 Advantages of pattern
• Subject in the circle network enjoy themselves the most. This is due to the
perception of social equality in the group structure.
• It allows group members to deliver and receive information relatively quickly.
• The circle group that focuses on talking reflect the spirit of inclusion by
having members sit in a circle.
 Cont`
• It has got a lower degree of centrality ( flow of ideas and satisfaction )
• On communication two way communication is more accurate than one way
communication.
• Receivers are more sure of themselves and make more correct judgments
• It has most error correction hence effective and satisfactory
 Disadvantages
• It is time consuming.
• The two way communication is relatively noisy and looks relatively disorderly
• The sender feels psychologically under attack in the two way system because
his receivers pick up his mistakes and point them out to him
 Y PATTERN OF COMMUNICATION

• Is an example of formal communication within a hierarchy e.g. in police and

army.
• the leader gives the information to one person and distribute to others.
 Advantages of the y pattern
• The Y pattern is considerably faster on average than the chain and circle in
sending and receiving messages
• It is associated with few errors
• It is more orderly as compared to circle
 Disadvantages
• Work or information overload to the rest of group members
• Poor decision making due no consultancy
• Information distortion
 The chain pattern
• The chain pattern is where one person passes information to others who
then passes it on to others.
• This approach tends to be the formal approach adopted by hierarchical
organizations such as civil service.
• It is top down communication channel.
 Advantages of the chain pattern
• There is a leader at the top who can oversee the communication downwards
and upwards of the group.
 Disadvantages
• There is isolation to those who are at the bottom of the network.
• This type of communication demotivates members of the group because
others feel at periphery.
• There is a problem that is centralized position can lead to work overloaded
• Its time consuming
 CONFLICTS IN GROUP WORK
Definitions
• Most definitions of conflict agree that conflict is a process in which one
party perceives that its interests are being opposed or negatively affected by
another party (Putnam and Poole, 1987).
• Rahim (2002) views conflict as the interactive process manifested in
incompatibility, disagreement, or dissonance within or between social entities
• It is also called group intrigues, is where social behavior causes groups or
individuals to conflict with each other.
 Cont`
• A struggle of power and property .
• A strong disagreement between people that often led to arguments .
• A difference that prevents agreement between ideas and feelings.
• A fight, battle war or armed conflict .
 Types of conflicts
Task conflict:
• refers to the disagreement about the substance of the discussion.
• It can be productive by improving the quality of decisions and critical
thinking processes.
• It can also be referred to intragroup conflict.
 Cont`
Interpersonal conflict
• refers to the disagreement that most people call a ‘personality clash’.
• Conflict of these types is expressed through more subtle nonverbal behaviors.
Procedural conflict:
• exists when group members disagree about the procedures to be followed in
accomplishing the group goal.
• Procedural conflict like task conflict may be productive (Barker et al 1987)
 Causes of conflicts
According to Rahim (2002) conflict may occur when:
• A party is required to engage in an activity that is incongruent with his or her needs or
interests.
• A party holds behavioural preferences, the satisfaction of which is incompatible with
another person's implementation of his or her preferences
• A party wants some mutually desirable resource that is in short supply, such that the wants
of all parties involved may not be satisfied fully.
• A party possesses attitudes, values, skills, and goals that are salient in directing his or her
behaviour but are perceived to be exclusive of the attitudes, values, skills, and goals held by
the other(s).
 Cont`
• Two parties have partially exclusive behavioural preferences regarding their
joint actions.
• Two parties are interdependent in the performance of functions or activities.
 Positive functions of group conflict
• Defining and sharpening issues

• As sides form on an issue, arguments and positions are clarified and people
can more easily distinguish between two different points of view.

• Conflict can improve the quality of decisions. Most group members will look
for additional information that is imperative to the decision making process
 Cont`
• Conflict among groups may increase unity and cohesion within each group as
members unite in a common purpose.
• Conflict within a group can allow dissatisfied members to voice their complaints.
And the group may restructure itself to deal with internal dissension and
dissatisfaction.
• Stimulating involvement in the discussion individual involvement helps groups
become more cohesive.
• Leads to improved relationships and can improve the strength of relationships both
personal and professional
 Negative effects

• Conflicts within a group often leads to internal tension and disruption.

• Member’s attention may be diverted from the goals of the group to focus on
the conflict.
• Conflict may increase bitterness, alienation and divisiveness within or among
groups and may have long lasting effects upon future cooperation among
individuals and groups holding opposite views
 Cont`
• Conflicts may become violent and in extreme cases, lead to destruction and
bloodshed.
• Conflict weakens or destroys a group.
 Conflict resolution
• Conflict resolution involves the reduction, elimination, or termination of all
forms and types of conflict. When people talk about conflict resolution they
tend to use terms like negotiation, bargaining, mediation, or arbitration
• A way of two or more parties to find a peaceful solution for a disagreement
among them.
• The disagreement may be personal ,financial , political.
• When dispute arise often the best course of action is negotiation .
 Goals of negotiation
• To produce a resolution were all parties can agree to.
• To work as quick as possible to find a solution .
• To improve the relationships of the members in the group.
• Conflict resolution through negotiation can be good for parties involved
because all parties involved have the opportunity to participant ,negotiate
than they would have when they would have walked away.
 Why should conflict be resolved
• The main goal of resolving conflict is to come up with an agreement of all
parties.
• To understand more about whose beliefs and background are different from
others and in order to resolve the conflict you need to look at it at the view
point of others.
• To ensure that group members `s relationships continue to grow.
• To find peaceful solutions to different situations.
 Cont`
• Successful negotiations pave way for a smooth relations in the future.
• Negotiating helps to avoid wasting resources and one is able to make new
allies and find new resources.
 How should conflict be resolved
• Anticipate – Take time to obtain information that can lead to conflict.
• Prevent – Develop strategies before the conflict occurs.
• Identify – If it is interpersonal or procedural, move to quickly manage it.
• Manage – Remember that conflict is emotional
• Resolve – React, without blame, and you will learn through dialogue.
 Skills used to resolve conflict
• Creating a win –win approach – no one should feel that they have lost
everyone has to feel that they have won
• Creative response- transform problems into creative opportunities.
• Use empathy- develop communication skills to create rapport
• Use appropriate assertiveness- apply strategies to attack the problem not the
person .
• Managing emotions – express fear , anger , frustration
 Cont`
• Mapping the conflict –
• Development of opinions – design creative solutions together
• Introduction to negotiation – plan and apply effective strategies to reach an
agreement .
• Introduction to mediation – help conflicting parties to move towards solutions.
• Broadening perspectives – variety of ways of resolving the conflict eg involvement
of other approaches , players to resolve the conflict .
 Key terms
• Group influence
• Social loafing
• Group polarization
 Group Influence
• Social Facilitation
• The strengthening of dominant responses in the presence of others.
• Why?
Evaluation fear: enhancement is strongest when people think they are being evaluated.
Mere presence: occurs in other species, may be a built-in biological mechanism
 Social Loafing

• Tendency to reduce effort when pooling effort toward a common goal and
when they are not individually accountable.
• Increases when not individually evaluated or rewarded.
• Decreases when tasks are challenging or appealing, and when fellow group
members are friends (as opposed to strangers).
 Group Polarization
• Originally dubbed the “risky shift”
The risky shift involved the tendency for group decisions to be riskier than the average
decision of the individuals in the group.

• However, subsequent research showed that groups may get more cautious
Group polarization is the tendency for group decisions to be more extreme than that of
individuals. Amplifies pre-existing tendencies.
Same logic as social facilitation.
 Cont `
Why?
Group discussion leads you to hear more information.
Active participation in a discussion leads you to “rehearse” your thoughts leading to more
attitude change.
Safer to provide more extreme answers once the normative opinion of the group has been
determined.
 Roles of social worker in group work
• Broker
• Advocate
• Case manager
• Educator
• Facilitator
• Organiser
 Qns
• Discuss the stages of group development outlined by Douglas (1976)
• Examine the effects of group size on group performance.
• Analyze the effects leadership styles on group performance .
• Explain the contribution of group work to the professional practice of social
work.
• Outline and discuss strategies for conflict resolution .