BEHAVIORAL APPROACHES TO GROUP WORK

• NCJ Number: 14111
• Journal: Social Work Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: (MARCH 1974) Pages: 163-175
• Author(s): A J FRANKEL; P H GLASSER
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: National Assoc of School Workers
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

LITERATURE REVIEW EXPLORING STUDIES OF TECHNIQUES USED IN BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION GROUPS, THE STAGES THROUGH WHICH A GROUP GOES TO SOLVE ITS PROBLEMS, AND THE TASKS OF THE GROUP WORKER IN HELPING THE GROUP REACH ITS GOALS.

Abstract

GROUP BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION CAN BE OF VALUE SINCE THE GROUP ACTIVITY CAN REINFORCE BEHAVIORS FOR THE ENTIRE GROUP AND FOR INDIVIDUALS. GROUP BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES ARE REVIEWED. THEY INCLUDE USE OF TOKEN ECONOMIES, MODELING, OR THE DEMONSTRATION OF BEHAVIORS WITH THEIR POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES, BEHAVIORAL REHEARSAL WITH THE GROUP, SYSTEMATIC DESENSITIZATION IN GROUP SETTINGS, AND DISCUSSION PROGRAMS. THE GROUP WORKER HAS AN INDIRECT INFLUENCE ON GROUP BEHAVIOR THROUGH CHOOSING THE MEMBERS, PROBLEM TYPES DEALT WITH, PHYSICAL SETTING, AND THE RULES THE GROUP WILL FOLLOW. HE CAN ALSO REINFORCE APPROPRIATE GROUP BEHAVIOR. SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PLANNING PROCESS IN GROUP WORK ARE MADE. STAGES IN THE PROCESS, SUCH AS ASSESSMENT OF GROUP BEHAVIOR, PLANNING FOR INTERVENTION IN THIS BEHAVIOR AND EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS ARE ALSO DETAILED.