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.
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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.
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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/
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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, personcentered theory, and existential theory, among others.
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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.
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