ABSTRACT
The Industrial Revolution began in the United States in the mid-1800s and resulted in major social changes. Even after a discussion of the overall purpose of social work with groups, the more specific purposes, definitions, and descriptions of small groups and a brief discussion of mutual aid and the specific dynamic forces that are involved, it is believed that group work can best be understood by referring to its history. The historical development of group work was a very distinct and unique process differing markedly from the emerging work with groups in other professions, such as psychology and psychiatry. The use of the group for social change was actively modeled in many of the settlements. Papell and Rothman stated that "The past era in the development of social work theory with groups can be characterized as a period of model building". Consistent with the mainstream model, Northen identified a four-stage model of group development.
