Running head: GROUP ANALYSIS

Tina-La Shawn Banks

Wayne State University
July 25, 2015

GROUP ANALYSIS

During the pass few class session we have been learning and utilizing our assessing skills
as a group. The professor has given us several scenarios and actually role played with the
students as well. He is teaching and trying to strengthen our declarative statements response to
clients. One scenario he had us listen to a few songs Johnny Taylor Fire and Rain, Jennifer
Hudson version of Im not leaving without you. His instructions were for us to pick three core
emotions of what we heard through the lyrics using our listening skills. Each group collaborated
on what they thought they heard among each other and then we shared as a class. There are so
many therapeutic techniques to utilize when treating clients. We listened to that song and came
up with so many emotional diagnosis without even speaking with Jennifer or Johnny it really
amazes me how much you can learn from a persons emotions without actually speaking to them.
Assessment
The next task that was given to the class was to do a one-on-one evaluation and
assessment on a classmate or group member as the social worker then switch roles to being the
client. The experience was a little scary because we were using our real life situations. The social
worker was a classmate but just sharing your issues puts you in a vulnerable position. I learn so
much from that hands on assignment. The clients are going to be dealing with heavier loads than
what was expose in the class that day. They probably are going to have more at state losing their
children, drug addiction, and homelessness. We have to be prepared to meet them where they are
in their circumstance. The more role playing and practice we are expose to through the
assignments we will become competent in assessing and evaluating our future clients.
We were also introduce to non-verbal skills in our last class session the teacher allowed
the students to role play as the social worker and the client. My observations from the role
playing was just by a person body language or gestures they can say a thousand words before

GROUP ANALYSIS

they open their mouths to speak. Each group was assign a different skill in the category of
facilitating a group process. Awesome Advocates were giving attending skill which the book
definition was nonverbal behaviors, such as eye contact and body position, and verbal behavior
that convey empathy, respect, warmth, trust, genuineness, and honesty. Attending skills are
useful in establishing rapport as well as a climate of acceptance and cohesiveness among group
members.
Well if that is the case about attending skills Awesome Advocates need more work the
group do have respect for each other but the climate about acceptance can be utilize more often
because as social workers we are supposed to meet our clients where they are. Some members
are accustom to short cuts and speedy completion with short patience that is not going to be a
good technique to carry over into the field.
The clients are going to be unpolished and non-compliant at the beginning of the process
they are not going to open up and accept any therapy until they are sure you care. The different
assignments and readings that are giving in the class allows me to look at things from so many
perspectives and diverse angles. There are good and bad advantages being a part of a group the
good advantages are building social skills, communication, learning and exploring each other
ideas and experiences. The bad advantages are when members are not willing to be diverse and
know their views and opinions are not the validation of the groups and other members input is
just as valuable.
We are approaching the tenth week in this class and I feel the cohesiveness should be
further then what it is instead everyone is focusing on their own ideas oppose to the group as a
whole. In a group the responsibilities should be shared among all group members to achieve and
plan of action should be a group effort. When things are done in a collaborative manner the task

GROUP ANALYSIS

is fluently accomplish and the goal that is set will be done adequately. We have a task group and
we are all in pursuit of obtaining the same effective skills this course has to offer us to be
effective social worker. Things started off so well and I could honestly say that we build a good
rapport but as the weeks are counting down things are shifting into the directions as we are doing
individual projects.
Group Dynamics
The Awesome Advocates goals are to be able to sufficiently facilitate a group, assess
clients and create a plan of action to meet their socioemotional needs. This class allows the
groups to role play and work together gaining the experience of a diverse input on variety skill
techniques and broaden social and communication skills. Upon completion of this course we will
have knowledge and experience of building a rapport to run varieties of groups. I dont know
what to think about the groups hidden agendas anymore they actions are self-centered. Even
though everyone is on entry level and anticipate of learning new and different techniques to
become competent in group work practice. Our group tolerate each other views and when we
collaborate on a project everyone doesnt have the same ideas but we agree as a group to build
stability and avoid conflict of interest to reach our goals as a group.
The class meets every Saturday at 9:35 we may have an open discussion with the
Professor about things that happen the previous class session, role paly, break off into assigned
groups, and deal with the giving scenarios or task. Then we display our plan of action to the
professor he assess the skills we are learning and critically correct our errors so we can become
efficiently as we go through our learning process. We take a 15-20 minute break to refresh and
ask the professor questions in regards of the assignments or just personal life learning skills of a
social worker. When the group was first organized our expectations to learn new social work

GROUP ANALYSIS

skills were the same and beliefs about appropriate behavior from each member well this
foundation still remain the same. As the group develop the cohesiveness seems to dissipate and
the members where seeking to complete task along instead of collaborating as a group.
Our group climate is still a working progress it started out on entry level because we were
building rapport and learning the techniques to compromise and value others feelings and beliefs
as a group. I thought the more time we spent in group gradually things would come together
anytime a group is form yes its base on common goals. Our goal is to complete the course and
sufficiently apply and identify different tasks that is expected of a social worker. We are in the
middle merging into the end phase and group work is not one of our strengths the respect for one
another and getting the task done have been consistent which is a good thing. I think overall once
the group learns the technique of working in a group and completing the task is more beneficial
to the group as a whole more than self-gratification things will fall into place. The group culture
is diverse because everyone has a different background, beliefs, communication skills, and
interacting skills.
I think overall the Awesome Advocate group have still room for growth and developing
group work skills. The main point is recognizing the error and putting forth to make the change
because being a competent social worker does not include I at all its about the clients and their
needs. The last session was alright but when everyone wants to be the leader and no one wants to
follow other members lead its hard to be in a group with minimum tension. Todays session
started at the usual hour 9:35 a.m. the professor did a spontaneous evaluation on the class
remembrance of the definition of a social worker and the eight steps in social work process. Well
to his surprise the class was not prepared some students knew half the definition and others knew

GROUP ANALYSIS

the steps to the social work process. Im going to redeem myself because it is important to know
every aspect of a career you are pursuing.
Plan of action I would advised the group of cohesiveness and suggest them to get familiar
with working in collaborative settings in social work it take group effort to tackle clients
recoveries, resources and goals to be meet. Awesome Advocate need to realize in a group
everyone can not be a leader its more parts to making a group function effectively than giving
out orders. My observation of diversity is that people have different thoughts, opinions and
beliefs and I can appreciate the variety of methods and techniques of my peers.
The ending phase is not going to be as narrative as it should be because we did not cover
termination scenarios. Our last session scenario was a foster care worker with clients who had to
meet the court mandated recommendation to gain or lose full custody of their children it was
three categories of compliancy of 90%, 75% or 30% the higher your compliancy was the better
chances of getting your children back. Awesome Advocate role played and I was the parent who
did not meet my requirements to receive my children back when the foster care worker said I did
not meet the recommendation and my parental would be permanent terminated even though we
were role playing my emotions reacted as if it was a real case. Personally I would not want to
take no one children away or have my own taken. But professionally as a social worker if a child
is put in an abusive or neglected atmosphere we are mandated to protect the children and place
them in a safe environment. If the foster care worker would have made a decision based on a
personal judgment or being nice and allowed the children back with the parent who did not meet
court ordered recommendations she would have been the kids welfare at a high risk. The parents
knew the requirements the judge requested so if they are not meet then custody is terminated.

GROUP ANALYSIS

Everyone wants to make a judgment where there is a happy ending but reality is not all about
what is happy but making the right professional decision is first and foremost.