Deck 16: Intervening in Social Work Groups

Question 1

The differentiation stage of group development is marked by:​

A)​conflict and dissidence.
B)​cohesion and harmony.
C)​probing and interpretation.
D)​fear and suspicion.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The focus during the working phase of group development is on:​

A)​initiation and introductions.
B)​achieving members' goals.
C)​balancing positive and negative feedback.
D)​completing unfinished business.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

In the context of social workers using the leadership role purposefully, which of the following makes members more vested in the group and enhances their sense of self-efficacy?​

A)​Helping members assume leadership behaviors
B)​Making accurate assessments of the stages of development
C)​Encouraging formation of subgroups
D)​Stimulating groupthink

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following stages of group development is characterized by attempts to resolve conflicts and achieve consensus?​

A)​The intimacy stage
B)​The differentiation stage
C)​The power and control stage
D)​The separation stage

Question 5

Which of the following steps should a social worker take in order to remove obstacles that threaten to derail a group's development and hinder the success of individual members of the group?​

A)​Study the stages of group development
B)​Study the power and control tactics to be used for group management
C)​Categorize and differentiate the members of the group
D)​Study confrontation and crowd management techniques

Question 6

During which of the following stages of group development do conflicts fade, personal involvement between members intensify, and members display a growing recognition of the significance of the group experience?​

A)​The forming stage
B)​The storming stage
C)​The norming stage
D)​The performing stage

Question 7

Melanie is an active participant of a help group for victims of domestic abuse. She derives emotional support from her peers in the group, who she regards as her sisters, and looks up to the social worker leading the group as a maternal influence. In this scenario, Melanie's help group is most likely to be in the _____ of group development.​

A)​differentiation stage
B)​preaffiliation stage
C)​intimacy stage
D)​power and control stage

Question 8

In the contractual process of initial group sessions, the leaders of the group:​

A)​enable the members of the group to disconnect.
B)​help the members of the group to refine their general goals.
C)​administer evaluation instruments.
D)​reiterate the urgency to solve social problems.

Question 9

During the life span of a group, the leader's role:​

A)​remains relatively unchanged.
B)​is strictly nonparticipative and observant.
C)​changes with the development stage.
D)​is largely that of an active participant.

Question 10

In the context of interventions throughout the life of groups, which of the following is a critical point for intervention by the social worker?​

A)​Dysfunctional role performance
B)​Attainment of group or individual roles
C)​The leader assuming a peripheral role
D)​Formation of subgroups within the main group

Question 11

In shaping a group's norms, leaders need to intervene in certain instances. Such interventions should:​

A)​focus on group-related matters.
B)​focus on individual attitudes.
C)​single out one person from the group.
D)​impose a solution on the group.

Question 12

When a group enters its _____ of group development, the leader of the group assumes a facilitative role and occupies a peripheral location.​

A)​power and control or storming phases
B)​preaffiliation or forming phases
C)​separation or termination phases
D)​maintenance or working phases

Question 13

Oliver is about to complete an eight-week social skills group program led by the school social worker. When asked to recount his positive experiences of being involved in the group, Oliver becomes emotional and hesitates to speak. In which of the following stages of group development is this behavior most likely to occur?​

A)​The separation stage
B)​The power and control stage
C)​The intimacy stage
D)​The differentiation stage

Question 14

Which of the following stages of group development is marked by members discussing how to apply what has been learned in the group to situations in the outside world?​

A)​The separation stage
B)​The differentiation stage
C)​The preaffiliation stage
D)​The intimacy stage

Question 15

Which of the following stages of group development is marked by members being occupied with ranking and hierarchy of statuses?​

A)​The preaffiliation stage
B)​The power and control stage
C)​The differentiation stage
D)​The separation stage

Question 16

During a group's working phase, when members struggle with feelings of hurt, disappointment, fear, inferiority, and related issues, leaders can enhance individual and group growth by:​

A)​elaborating on the negative sentiments for closure.
B)​encouraging the members to internalize and learn from the feelings.
C)​focusing on the universality of underlying sentiments.
D)​explaining about the struggle for power to the members.

Question 17

Jason has joined a help group for alcohol deaddiction. While in the sixth session, he angrily states that he does not see any purpose in attending the meetings any more as the leader of the group seems incapable of managing the group properly. Jason's behavior of hostility toward the leader is indicative of the _____ of group development.​

A)​power and control stage
B)​preaffiliation stage
C)​intimacy stage
D)​differentiation stage

Question 18

When a group enters the termination phase, the group leader acts to decrease the group's sense of:​

A)​separateness.
B)​self-righteousness.
C)​internal discord.
D)​cohesion.

Question 19

Erin joined a help group for people suffering from eating disorders. During the first two meetings, she was reluctant to participate and did not reply to the questions posed to the group. In this scenario, Erin is displaying _____ typical of the forming stage of the help group's development.​

A)​a hostile behavior
B)​personal involvement
C)​preliminary belongingness
D)​an avoidance behavior

Question 20

During which of the following stages of group development is the approach or avoidance behavior most displayed by members?​

A)​The separation stage
B)​The power and control stage
C)​The preaffiliation stage
D)​The differentiation stage

Question 21

During a group's working phase, the expectation of a weekly progress report from the leader:​

A)​increases the necessity of reminding the members of their contract agreements.
B)​reduces the members' sense of independence and accomplishment.
C)​makes monitoring of individual members haphazard and unsystematic.
D)​helps increase motivation of the members to work toward goals between sessions.

Question 22

Explain why a social worker should study the stages of group development and the variable factors that influence the stages of group development.

Question 23

Compare task and treatment groups. What concepts apply to both these groups and what features distinguish them?​

Question 24

Explain the social worker's role as an intervener throughout the lifespan of a group, and describe in detail how he or she can meaningfully intervene with the group members' roles.​

Question 25

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online groups.​

Question 26

Outline the social worker's role as a leader throughout the lifespan of a group.​

Question 27

In the power and control phase of a task group, facilitators should endeavor to:​

A)​stimulate idea-related conflict.
B)​stimulate personality-related conflict.
C)​encourage groupthink.
D)​encourage group differentiation.

Question 28

To ensure that time is allocated reasonably to each member during the working phase of group development, Toseland and Rivas recommend that group leaders:​

A)help each member to work in turn and generalize concepts to all members.​
B)​set a timer to ring when allocated time for a member has elapsed.
C)​focus on members who are highly involved and ask the other members to watch and learn.
D)​decide who is most in need of attention and focus on that member during the remaining time.

Question 29

A(n) _____ should have members who possess the skills and resources required to accomplish an undertaking successfully.​

A)​single-session group
B)​subgroup within a working group
C)​task group with a specific purpose
D)​open-ended group

Question 30

Which of the following affects early development in task groups?​

A)​Members' willingness to forge new connections
B)​Authority vested in the leader
C)​Members' preexisting relationships with each other
D)​Members' attention to process and viewpoints

Question 31

Explain why conflict is an essential component of a group. How does conflict assist in achieving the group's goals?​