One of the relevant observations noted from the readings is the disparity within which groups and group work are developed. From the first chapter written by Toseland & Rivas (2012), group work development was noted to undergo six (6) stages from planning, beginning, assessment, middle, evaluation, ending. However, from the book written by Toseland, Jones, & Gelles, Group dynamics (2004), the more popular group development process was revealed to have been conceptualized by Tuckman as the forming, storming, norming, and performing stages. While in the same book, another group development model was noted to have been popularized by Garland, Jones, and Kolodny who identifed stages such as preaaffiliation, power and control, intimacy, differentiation, and separation . These models attested that various human behavior practitioners have recognized the value and importance of studying group development through identifying the phases that they go through, as well as the purpose and goals that are to be achieved.
Another imporant point noted is the value of diversity in groups. In one of the frameworks for understanding working groups, Ephross & Vassil (2004) have acknowledged the relevance of recognizing the group’s composition, membership, as well as citizenship. In contemporary settings where cultural diversity has been recognized as existing with some organizations even promoting and supporting it, the impact on the achievement of group’s goals should be known. For instance, cultural diversity impacts one of the relevant domains in group dynamics as presented by Toseland, Jones, & Gelles, Group dynamics (2004) as communication processes and interaction patterns. As revealed, “language barriers can sometimes interfere with effective communication in groups” (p. 15). Therefore, it is essential for those developing groups to be cognizant of cultural diversity to ensure that no misunderstandings or conflicts would
prevent members from achieving the explicitly defined goals.
References
Ephross, P. H., & Vassil, T. V. (2004). Group Work with Working Groups. In C. Garvin, L. Gutierrez, & M. Galinsky, Handbook of Social Work with Groups (pp. 400-414). New YorkL NY: The Guilford Press.
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2012). An Introduction to Group Work Practice. Boston: MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Toseland, R. W., Jones, L. V., & Gelles, Z. D. (2004). Group dynamics. In C. Garvin, L. Gutierrez, & M. Galinsky, Handbook of Social Work with Groups (pp. 13-31). New York: NY: The Guilford Press.
