Chapter 10 Small Group Theory

1. Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work Practice Bruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus, and Karen M. Sowers, Editors Chapter 10 Small Group Theory by Lorraine Moya Salas, Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, and Craig Winston LeCroy Social work has a very long tradition of assisting persons in small groups, and small group theory and practice has been an important perspective guiding social work practice. Group work offers the advantages of efficiency (you can see more people at a time), and can help alleviate the sense of isolation and lack of hope experienced by many social work clients. Groups can provide members with useful support, validation, feedback, and role-modeling experiences. And participation in small groups may enable clients to be of help to others, which can be beneficial to clients themselves. Groups can provide a safe and supportive context to practice new ways of behaving.

2. Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work Practice Bruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus, and Karen M. Sowers, Editors Chapter 10 Small Group Theory by Lorraine Moya Salas, Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, and Craig Winston LeCroy Group Work—Entails bringing together small groups of individuals to serve a need. “Groups” are distinguished by interaction, purpose, a sense of belonging, and the conduct or behavior of group members. Groups are further distinguished by being goal-directed and having a sense of purpose. The term small group is usually meant to include collections of 3 to 15 individuals.

3. Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work Practice Bruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus, and Karen M. Sowers, Editors Chapter 10 Small Group Theory by Lorraine Moya Salas, Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, and Craig Winston LeCroy In 1936 the interdisciplinary National Association for the Study of Group Work was formed, and in 1946 this organization changed itself into the American Association of Group Workers (AAGW), a formal social work organization. In 1955 the AAGW voluntarily merged with the newly formed National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Over time the NASW seemed to devote less and less attention to the interests of group workers, so a new organization, the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups (AASWG) was formed in 1978). Many social workers with an interest in group work belong to the AASWG, attend its annual conference and support its journal, Social Work with Groups. See: http://www.aaswg.org/

4. Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work Practice Bruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus, and Karen M. Sowers, Editors Chapter 10 Small Group Theory by Lorraine Moya Salas, Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, and Craig Winston LeCroy Group work theory is largely based upon the academic disciplines of psychology and sociology, with a considerable amount of input from the world of clinical judgment and the practice wisdom of established group workers. Formal theories that influence the design and conduct of social work with small groups include social learning theory, psychoanalysis and psychodynamic theory, systems theory, humanistic psychology, person-centered theory, and existential theory, among others.

5. Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work Practice Bruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus, and Karen M. Sowers, Editors Chapter 10 Small Group Theory by Lorraine Moya Salas, Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, and Craig Winston LeCroy Cognitive-behavioral group work is a fairly structured approach to providing group work services that enjoys a substantial degree of empirical support, in terms of the numbers of high-quality outcome studies demonstrating its effectiveness. Assessment in group work practice may involve an assessment of the individual alone, a group-as-a-whole assessment, and an assessment of the group’s external environment. The goals of social work with small groups may vary according to the theoretical orientation guiding the group. A cognitive-behavioral group may focus on changing ways of thinking, and on social skills enhancement. A psychodynamically oriented group may focus on the development of insight, bringing the role of unconscious forces influencing a group member, into awareness.