SOCW 6121 Week 5 – Assignment: Assessing Group Process 2
Each member of a group contributes to the group’s dynamic even if the member is silent. As a clinical social worker, it is important to understand the dynamics you bring to a group and the role you tend to assume in a group setting (Typically leader, but I have stepped back to a support role and positive contributor). Every individual has his or her own way of interacting. Knowing your own personal style and the role you tend to choose will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses when working within a group.
For this Assignment, describe the dynamics of your Wiki Group. By this time, your group should have developed the family case study and defined the scope of the problem.
Reflect on your participation in the dynamics. What role have you assumed in the group? Have you used any empowerment strategies in moving the group forward? If not, what strategy could you implement?
Group Process Assignments should integrate course concepts related to group process. Assignments should demonstrate critical thought when applying course material to your group experience. Support ideas in your Assignment with APA citations from this week's required resources.
Provide a 600-word paper with references and citations from the following:
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
· Chapter 3, “Understanding Group Dynamics” (pp. 67–97)
Drumm, K. (2006). The essential power of group work. Social Work With Groups, 29(2–3), 17–31.
Week 5: Understanding Group Dynamics
It is important to understand group dynamics because of their impact on the function and success of the group process. The actual “dynamic” is what influences the behavior of each member of the group and the group as a whole. Every group develops their own dynamic, and it is the social worker’s role to ensure that the interactions within the group are helping the members reach the group’s goals. Sometimes it takes only one member to interrupt or destroy the group’s cohesion and social interaction. It is the role of the social worker to oversee the functioning of the group and to ensure that all members feel empowered to help change the dynamic to a supportive influence. It is also the role of the social worker to make sure that the group process is moving in a direction that is consistent with the group’s purpose.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
· Analyze group and family dynamics in a case
· Compare group dynamics to family dynamics
· Analyze the role of the social worker in empowering groups
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
· Chapter 3, “Understanding Group Dynamics” (pp. 67–97)
Drumm, K. (2006). The essential power of group work. Social Work With Groups, 29(2–3), 17–31.
Required Media
Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2011a). Group therapy: A live demonstration. [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Author.
Watch segment from timestamp 30:00 to 39:48.
Psychotherapy.net. (2006a). The legacy of unresolved loss: A family systems approach [Video file].
Watch segment from timestamp 0:43 to 09:38.
Assignment: Assessing Group Process 2
Each member of a group contributes to the group’s dynamic even if the member is silent. As a clinical social worker, it is important to understand the dynamics you bring to a group and the role you tend to assume in a group setting (Typically leader, but I have stepped back to a support role and positive contributor). Every individual has his or her own way of interacting. Knowing your own personal style and the role you tend to choose will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses when working within a group.
For this Assignment, describe the dynamics of your Wiki Group. By this time, your group should have developed the family case study and defined the scope of the problem.
Reflect on your participation in the dynamics. What role have you assumed in the group? Have you used any empowerment strategies in moving the group forward? If not, what strategy could you implement?
Group Process Assignments should integrate course concepts related to group process. Assignments should demonstrate critical thought when applying course material to your group experience. Support ideas in your Assignment with APA citations from this week's required resources.
Provide a 600-word paper with references and citations from the following:
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
· Chapter 3, “Understanding Group Dynamics” (pp. 67–97)
Drumm, K. (2006). The essential power of group work. Social Work With Groups, 29(2–3), 17–31.