ABSTRACT
This chapter considers some of the practical questions involved in working with groups. It begins with a discussion of group development and explores ideas relating to the formation of groups, stages of group development, the setting of goals and agendas, group norms and issues of conformity. The chapter looks at issues of power and authority. It introduces a few strategies for group work, like how to prepare and plan for working with groups; what people mean when they talk about group diagnoses; and what kinds of strategies can be put in place for evaluating a group’s activities and planning for next time. The quality of the group experience can be improved if group members have some awareness of the significance of both the task and the maintenance aspects of group dynamics. The group work practitioner may take on all these jobs at various times, and each of them can improve group interaction.
