Summary
Contents
Subject index
“This work should serve as a sound foundation for students and practitioners as they begin their study of the significance of various groups in social work practice.” --Choice Collective problem solving: a powerful and effective means of assessing a situation, determining a course of action, and accomplishing goals. In the realm of social services, this formidable method has been evidenced in the development of task groups; in the textbook arena, it is clearly and definitively presented in Task Groups in the Social Services. Focusing on the role of the social worker, the authors consider such aspects as the recruitment and composition of groups, participation as a team member, group shepherding, and dealing with problem behaviors within the group. Selected problem-solving approaches, including brainstorming, societal judgment analysis, and the Delphi technique, are evaluated in terms of process and outcome. From implementation through achievement, the merits and methods of application for a variety of task groups are assessed. This sophisticated work will be a vital resource for students of social work and social work practitioners alike.
The Problem-Solving Process
The Problem-Solving Process
Problem solving occupies much of the time in task groups. A problem represents a concern or a difficulty that is experienced and identified by one or more members of a task group. Problems vary in their levels of concreteness and abstraction. Problems also vary in regard to how much controversy they generate, as when issues become contentious and conflictual. Although many problems dealt with by task groups have solutions, some represent dilemmas or difficulties that the group believes are irresolvable at the point they are considered. The present chapter will consider what it takes to improve problem solving by discussing the kinds of problems addressed by social service task groups and by considering the problem-solving process as a series of ...
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