ABSTRACT

This chapter explores the history of group work in social work and how knowledge of gender issues can reformulate our thinking about groups. It describes the practice of teaching. Traditional theorists and practitioners have assumed that one who is adequately trained in group work will be able to work effectively with all people, regardless of race or gender. All of the social sciences, including history, have contributed to the knowledge base that is important for understanding smaller and larger groups. Principles of psychoanalytic theory can be used to understand how earlier social experiences and unconscious processes affect group formation and interaction. Social work has generated several distinct and overlapping approaches to group-work practice, including reciprocal groups, social goals groups, remedial groups, and self-help groups. Skilled group workers can modify how they approach groups to fit the goals, composition, and issues of a group. Most instructors of social work routinely have students divide into groups for various class activities.