Each of us is a part of the type of group at once. We are members of a family, members of friendship groups, members of work organizations, and members of fan
clubs or even religious groups. These are some of the different types of groups that sociologists have attempted to categorize.

How We Develop Group?

  There are numerous explanations for why groups form. A classic theory, developed by George Homans, suggests that groups develop based on activities, interactions, and sentiments. According to the theory, people will interact more and form opinions about one another, whether favorable or unfavorable, when they engage in common activities.

Members of the group must deal with a number of issues during this time, and how these issues are resolved determines whether or not the group will be successful in carrying out its tasks.

1. Forming. The group’s main objectives are still unknown. Thus, forming is a period of orientation during which the group’s members get to know one another and share their expectations for the future. Members are taught the goals of the group and the guidelines to be followed. Since trust and openness need to be established, the forming stage shouldn’t be rushed. In later stages of development, these feelings become stronger.
2. Storming. The group is likely to experience the most conflict and disagreement at this point. Conflicts over power and group objectives are frequent among participants. At this stage in their development, people frequently require leadership roles. If participants can achieve cohesion through resolution, this could be a beneficial experience for all groups. If group members are unable to settle the dispute, the group will frequently break up or carry on, but it will never move on to the next stage and remain ineffective.
3. Norming. A sense of cohesion and identity among the group members will start to emerge at this point. Results should start to emerge from collaborative effort. The group decides how it will evaluate progress and distributes responsibilities among its members.
4. Performing. When the group has developed and feels cohesive, they can perform. In this stage of development, people accept one another and work out their differences in groups. Group members make decisions using a logical process that is centered on pertinent goals rather than emotional concerns.
5. Adjourning. Not all groups experience this stage of development because it is characterized by the disbandment of the group. The completion of the task or individuals choosing to go their separate ways are two frequent causes of groups breaking up. As everyone gets ready to part ways, there are frequently feelings of closure and sadness among the group members.

Types Of Social Groups

Voluntary Vs. Involuntary Groups

We might sign up for a political party or a specific association (typical of our profession). Groups like these that we choose and work hard to join are voluntary groups. In contrast, without our consent, we are compelled to join or are included as members of particular groups; for instance, we are automatically classified in groups as members based on sex, age, nationality, religion and ethnicity. These latter groups, to which we are automatically or by birth admitted, are voluntary groups.

Open Vs. Closed Groups

Open groups are those who frequently change their membership. Almost anyone can join this group. As certain members leave, new members are admitted,
and the group continues. For instance, anyone is welcome to join the Hrithik Roshan fan club. Some organizations, on the other hand, maintain their exclusivity by limiting membership and making it very difficult to join. Only a select few are eligible to join such clubs. Closed groups are those with stringent membership requirements, such as the mafia (underworld), clubs, etc. that feature Royal Enfield motorcycles Usually, closed groups have a set number of sessions they meet for, which places some sort of time restriction on their meetings. In general, no new members are added, and members are expected to stick around until the group dissolves.

One benefit of open groups is the increased chance for members to interact with a wider range of people. As existing members leave, new ones are added. Rapid member turnover in open groups can lead to a lack of cohesion, especially if too many clients leave or too many new ones are brought in all at once. It will therefore be preferable to add new members one at a time as and when openings arise.

Natural Vs. Formed Groups

Members of natural groups tend to come together on their own, either as a result of naturally occurring events, interpersonal attraction, or mutually perceived needs. Examples of natural groups include family, peer groups, and street gangs. (Whyte, 1993). On the other hand, formed group are those groups constituted by any
influence or intervention external to the group. Usually, such organizations are created with a specific objective in mind. Examples of formed groups include committees, teams, committees, and therapy groups.

Formal Vs. Informal Groups

Formal groups are those that need someone to identify a task that needs to be carried out, requiring some sort of organizational system made up of various job roles for which people are recruited (Artherton, 2003). Here, the tasks themselves matter more than anything else, especially the people involved and the roles they play. Everything else, however, is flexible. Informal groups function in the opposite direction. Several people come together: if they form a group, then they will informally allocate roles depending on individual preferences, and/or talents. They occasionally work together to complete a task, such as planning a trip, a night out, or a party, because this group of roles makes a system possible. Tasks are incidental; people’s preferences are what really matter.

Vertical Vs. Horizontal Groups

There are some organizations that welcome members from all social and economic backgrounds, such as religious groups that may have members from all classes. Such a group might be thought of as a vertical group. A horizontal group, on the other hand, is predominately made up of people from one social class. Doctors in certain professional groups (e.g. IMA); guilds or
associations of persons of a trade e.g. electricians, carpenters, non-gazetted officers, for instance, are composed largely of members from the same social class.

Primary Vs. Secondary Groups

Primary groups, such as playgroups, neighborhood or village groups, are described by Cooley as collectivities of individuals that are “characterized by intimate, sympathetic face-to-face association and cooperation.” A primary group is a group in which members develop close, personal, intimate, and enduring relationships; e.g. family, neighbors, work associates, etc. In this group, everyone is very familiar with one another, has a strong influence on one another, and feels a strong sense of connection. The opposite is true for secondary groups, which are distinguished by contractual ties and “communication on indirect media” (Faris, 1937). These are “relatively larger, relatively temporary, anonymous” groups that are also “formal, impersonal, lacking in social intimacy or mutual understanding” and “based on some interest or activity,” with their “members interacting on the basis of some specific roles.”’

Treatment Vs. Task Groups

Groups known as “treatment groups” are those whose main goal is to satisfy the members’ socio-emotional needs. These organizations frequently work to satisfy the needs of their participants for socialization, support, education, therapy, growth, and other benefits. Growth-related treatment groups, such as encounter groups for couples, value clarification groups for adolescents, or educative groups for community women); therapy groups (psychotherapy groups, support groups for de- addicted or the sober) (Konopka, 1983); socialization groups (YMCA, halfway houses) (Middleman, 1982; Whittaker, 1985). Task groups, on the other hand, are formed with the intention of achieving a goal that is not directly or intrinsically related to the needs of the group members but rather of a larger constituency.

The classic example of task groups in social work practice setting are Medical Teams, Treatment conferences convened to monitor treatment as well as Staff

Other Types Of Social Groups

Reference Group: People almost always feel a connection to what is referred to as reference groups. These are social groups that the person conceptually identifies with and from which he or she adopts goals and values that become a part of who they are.

Peer group – A group of people who are roughly the same age, social status, and interests is referred to as a peer group. When people interact with peers, they are typically on roughly equal footing in terms of power.

Clique – a loosely knit group of people who share interests, typically found in high school or college settings. In the majority of Cliques, there is a recognized but mutable power structure.

Club – A club is a group, which usually requires one to apply to become a member. These organizations might specialize in certain activities, like sports clubs.

Household – all individuals who live in the same home

Community – A community is a collection of people who have something in common, or occasionally a complicated web of overlapping things in common, and who are frequently, though not always, in close proximity to one another and show some degree of continuity over time. They frequently have some organization and leaders.

Franchise– this is an organization that runs several instances of a business in many locations.

Gang – Urban groups that congregate in one location are typically referred to as gangs. It is a group of individuals who frequently congregate together. Although much less formal, they can resemble some clubs.

Mob – Typically, a mob is a collection of people who have seized control of the legal system. Usually, a mob is a group of people who have come together for a short time.

Posse – A posse was initially an American term for a group of citizens that had banded together to enforce the law. But it can also be used to describe a gang.

Squad – This is typically a small group—between 3 and 8 people—who collaborate to achieve their objectives.

Team– similar to a squad, though a team may contain many more members. A team works in a similar way to a squad

Learning (groups) – There are three different group types that can foster cooperative learning, according to Drs. David and Roger Johnson of the University of Minnesota, who are considered the world experts in group work and cooperative learning research:

Informal learning groups -Even in a setting like a big lecture, ad hoc, transient, short-term groups can be quickly formed and used. Formal learning groups: These are the kinds of teams we would form to work on more extensive projects together. More organization and preparation are needed for this kind of group work. In formal learning groups, there are frequently opportunities to reflect on the group’s development.

Base groups (study group) – Self-selected teams of students collaborate without regard to the schedule of classes or assigned homework.

Models Of Social Group Work

Models are intended to address issues within communities where group worker councils are convened to address issues and support group growth and development while also bringing social norms and values into the group. Models of Social Group Work Social workers proposed four unique group work models based on various assumptions about the role of the worker, the group members, and the group’s content. These are:

Remedial

Remedial Model The remedial model focuses on the dysfunction of the individual and uses the group as a setting and a tool for modifying abnormal behavior. The clients of such social group work practices include people who are emotionally disturbed, isolated, and physically and mentally challenged. Social workers in this model make an effort to influence the individual’s behavior. The target point is he or she. The Remedial Model states that the group can be used to address issues with changes in interpersonal and social relationships.

Mediating

This model is based on open systems theory, humanistic psychology, and an existential perspective. The principal attributes of this model are as follows.

1. Because they have shared needs, people and society are interdependent. Conflict arises when these shared goals are obstructed.
2.   The resolution of this conflict is possible only when interested parties try to understand their dilemmas with all of these inner resources and they utilize that at that moment.
3.  The relationship between group members and the worker, as well as the relationship between the group members and the group as a whole, is the focus of this model.
4. The dynamics of the group are revealed by how the individuals interact with one another.
5. The ongoing and reciprocal interactions between sets of members and the worker, the group, and each other are highlighted in this model.

Developmental Model

 According to this perspective, groups do have a certain amount of independence and autonomy, but their existence, survival, and success depend on the interaction between them and their members and social environments. The main features of this model are:

1. It is primarily based on the dynamics of closeness and intimacy developed over time between the members.
2. For the right worker interventions, the level of intimacy is taken into consideration. At all three levels—individuals, groups, and settings—studies, diagnoses, and treatments are conceptualized.
3. This model is informed by conflict theory, group dynamics, and ego psychology as developed by Erikson.
4. Studying, diagnosing, and treating are activities the group worker is involved in.

Social Goal Model

The fundamental ideas behind the social goals model are social responsibility, social change, and social consciousness. It is suggested that individuals can affect social change by participating with others in a group setting. The goal is social action, and the group leader is seen as a motivator and enabler who personifies the virtues of social responsibility and serves as a role model without promoting any particular political viewpoint. The group’s emerging leader is a key component of this model.

Gestalt Therapy: Gestalt therapy helps patients understand how they hold themselves back from maturing by providing educational support. It is the aim of worker to help the client to become aware of and accept responsibility for how they make themselves feel better

Transactional Analysis:  Analyzing and elucidating intrapersonal and interpersonal processes is the process of transactional analysis. Berne created this therapeutic approach. He proposes that personal change can be maximized through group psychotherapy where the social processes are much more varied than just one to one relationships

The Behavioral Model Gestalt. Behavioral Model In accordance with this model, particular group programs are put into place to change dysfunctional patterns and learn new styles.

Skills Of Social Group Work

Skill in Using Agency Functions -The group worker must be skillful in carrying the functions of the agency. He ought to always make an effort to promote the goals of the local agency. He does the following activities for

• The Intake Process
• Connecting the Group 
• Serving the Individual through the Group Work Process
• Working with the Individual Outside
• The Referral

Skill in Communication of Feelings– The following abilities are necessary for the social group worker.     

1. The Worker’s Feelings High
2.  The Group Member’s Feelings
3. Group Feelings

The social worker performs two tasks under this scenario.

1. putting current group interests to use for productive activity.
2. encouraging the group to make thoughtful decisions.
3. IV) Skill in Stimulating and Using Group Relations
4. Each group member should be given the opportunity to find and participate in a relationship with other members thanks to the social group worker.
5. He should be adept at using programs to improve group dynamics.

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