Principles of Social Group

Work
Dr. Boban Joseph
Guest Lecturer
MA-DSW&A-SBS-MGU
Introduction

• Group work principles are the base for group workers to facilitate an effective
group.

• Several authors have identified basic principles of group work.

• Douglas, Terence, Friedlander and Trecker are some of them.

• Principles help to guide group workers at every stages of a group from its
formation to adjourning.

• Let us examine the Principles of Group Work (Trecker 1949)

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 The Principle of Planned Group Formation

• In social group work, the group is the basic unit through which
service is provided to the individual, consequently, the agency &
worker responsible for the formation of the groups.

• Already formed groups must be aware of the factors inherent in the

group situation that make the given group a positive potential for
individual growth and for meeting recognizable needs.

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 The principle of specific objectives

• In social group work, specific objective of individual and group

development must be consciously formulated by the worker in

harmony with group’s wishes and capacities and in keeping with

agency function.

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 The principle of purposeful worker group
relationship

• A consciously purposeful relationship must be established between

the worker and the group members based on the workers acceptance
of the group members as they are and upon the groups willingness to
accept help from the worker because of the confidence the members
have in him/her and in the agency.

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The principle of continuous individualization

• In social group work, it is recognized that groups are different & that
individuals utilize group experience in a variety of ways to meet their
different needs.

• Consequently continuous individualization must be practiced by the worker.

• Groups & the individuals in the groups must be understood as developing

and changing.

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 The principle of guided group Interaction

• In social group work, the primary source of energy which propels the
group and influences the individuals to change are the interaction or
reciprocal responses of the members.

• The group worker influence this interaction by the type and the
quality of his participation.

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 The principle of democratic group self
determination

• In social group work the group must be helped to make its own
decisions and determine its own activities.

• Taking the maximum amount of responsibility in line with its capacity

and ability.

• The primary source of control over the group is the group itself.

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 The principle of flexible functional
organization
• In social group work, the process through which the worker guides the groups
in setting up formal organization is just as important as the actual structure
details of that organization.

• Formal organization, should be flexible and should be encouraged only as it

meets a felt need, is understood by the members and can function accordingly.

• The formal organization of the group should be adaptive & should change as
the group changes.
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 The principle of progressive programme
experiences

• In social group work, the program experience in which the group

engages should begin at the level of member interest, need,

experience and competence and should progress in relation to the

developing capacity of the group.

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 The principle of resource utilization

• In social group work, the total environment of agency and

community possesses resources which should be utilized to enrich

the content of the group experiences for individuals & for the group

as a whole.

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 The principle of evaluation

• In social group work, continuous evaluation of process and

programmes in terms of outcomes is essential.

• Worker, group and agency share in this procedure as a means of

guaranteeing this greatest possible self-fulfillment for all.

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Conclusion
• GW must understand the basic principles and must be guided by them in his/her
professional practice.

• Principles are guiding statements come from experiences or research.

• Their generalizations are based upon what has been observed good practice with groups in
different situations.

• The purpose of these principles to guide the GW who needs knowledge of the individuals
and groups behavior and social behavior as well as the ability to work efficiently with the
group of people.

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References

Misra, P.D. (1994) Social Work-Philosophy and Methods, Inter India Publications, New Delhi, ISBN-81-21—0324-
5.

Tej, S. (2010) Lectures on Social Work, Jubilee ‘H’ Foundation Publishing, Lucknow, Utterpradesh, ISBN-978-80-
906238-2-7.

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