Task groups in the social services / Marian Fatout, Steven R. Rose.

In light of the growing importance of and reliance on task groups in the social services, this comprehensive text examines the uses, methods and dynamics of such groups. Following a description of the nature, history and variety of task groups, the authors discuss the role of the social worker in these groups, focusing on: the recruitment and composition of groups; participating as a team member; shepherding a group and dealing with problem behaviours within it. Task Groups in the Social Services will prove a vital resource to both students and practitioners in social work.

Print version record.

Cover; Contents; Preface; Overview of the Book; Outline of the Book; Acknowledgments; Part I -- The Nature of Task Groups in the Social Services; Chapter 1 -- The History of Task Groups in the Social Services; Historical Foundations; Emerging Links between Theory and Practice; Professional Developments; Early Developments within Group Work; Differentiation within Group Work; Recent Historical Context; Conclusion; Chapter 2 -- The Variety of Task Groups Utilized; Task and Maintenance in Groups; Types of Task Groups; Conclusion; Part II -- The Professional Practitioner's Role in Task Groups

Chapter 3 -- Planning, Composing, and Recruiting a Task GroupPlanning the Task Group; Composing the Task Group; Recruiting the Task Group Members; Conclusion; Chapter 4 -- The Professional's Role on the Social Service Team; Purposes and Functions of Teams; Teams and Organizations; Team Functioning and Small Group Processes; Developmental Stages of Teams; Conclusion; Chapter 5 -- The Practitioner's Responsibilities for the Functioning of Task Groups; Task Group Dynamics; Stages of Task Group Development; Strategies and Functions for the Practitioner's Use; Conclusion

Chapter 6 -- Handling Problematic Behaviors of the Task Group, Subgroups, and MembersAgendas; Conflicts; Social Loafing; Polarization and Depolarization; Deindividuation; Groupthink; Problematic Member Behavior in the Task Group; Conclusion; Part III -- Problem-Solving Techniques; Chapter 7 -- The Problem-Solving Process; The Task Group as a Site for Problem Solving; Types of Problems Addressed; Steps of the Problem-Solving Process; Conclusion; Chapter 8 -- Small Group Decision-Making Procedures; Characteristics of Decisions and Decision Making; Decision-Making Methods

Obstacles to Decision MakingAlternative Decision-Making Techniques; After the Decisions are Made; Conclusion; Chapter 9 -- Large Group Decision-Making Procedures; Parliamentary Procedure; Phillips 66; Crawford Slip Writing; Ideawriting or Brainwriting; Delphi Technique; Conclusion; Chapter 10 -- Methods of Evaluating Composition, Process, and Outcome in Task Groups; Purposes of Evaluation; Temporal and Spatial Context of Evaluation; Types of Task Group Evaluations; Evaluation Process; Conclusion; References; Index; About the Authors

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