HUS 340: Group Skills in the Human Services: Group Observation Paper

Instructions for Group Observation and Reaction Paper

• Students will attend one community group meeting in a variety of settings such as Alcoholics Anonymous, PTA meeting, church meeting, local nonprofit Board meeting, support group, etc. (Instructors will have a list of local agencies that will allow students to observe groups in their commuities if needed.  Groups can be clinical, but do not have to be.) 
• Students will then submit a Reaction Paper indicating their observations regarding Group Work theory. 
  • The student should identify the type of agency they have chosen to observe and the type of group observed. 
  • Students should maintain proper ethical considerations in both writing the paper and in their pre-professional behavior in the group. 
  • No identifying information about either the group leader or the names of members should be revealed in the paper.  Be aware of confidentiality.

• In the critique of the group, indicate the following:
  • what strengths the leader possessed,
  • what skills were used,
  • what stage the group was in,
  • and what could have been done differently. 

• Consider values and ethical issues. 
  • Did cultural issues arise? 
  • How were they handled? 

• Special consideration should be given to roles group members played (identify what roles were observed). 
• This scholarly paper should be typed, double-spaced, and referenced. 
  • Include the Corey text, additional texts on group work, legitimate Internet sources, and/or journal articles in the Social Sciences.
  • At least three (3) references are needed for an A paper. 
  • Paper should be five to six (5-6) pages in length, NOT including the title page and references page.  
  • Include a reference page. 
  • The paper must be written in APA style.
  • The paper will go through the Turnitin system after it is submitted.