1. Compare task groups versus educational, support, or skills groups.
2. Describe a type of treatment group you would facilitate as a social worker.
3. Explain what professional role you may take when facilitating this group.
4. Describe what is meant by group norms, and explain how you would help shape these norms based on your role in the group.
5. Explain what is meant by group roles. Identify at least one group role, and explain why a group member may take that role.
6. Describe a group member role that might be most challenging to you as a group leader, and explain why.
7. Support your post with examples from the course text and any other resources used to respond to this Discussion. Demonstrate that you have completed the required readings, understand the material, and are able to apply the concepts. Include a full reference of resources at the bottom of the post.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Exploring Group Dynamics: Roles and Norms in Group Facilitation
Group facilitation is an essential aspect of social work practice, involving the management and guidance of various types of groups. This essay aims to explore and discuss the concepts of task groups versus educational, support, or skills groups, the role of a social worker in facilitating a treatment group, the formation of group norms, and the significance of group roles within a therapeutic setting.
Task Groups versus Educational, Support, or Skills Groups:
Task groups are focused on accomplishing specific goals or tasks. These groups are typically formed to complete a particular project or address a specific problem. The primary purpose of task groups is to achieve a tangible outcome through collaborative efforts.
On the other hand, educational, support, or skills groups focus on providing information, guidance, support, or developing specific skills. Educational groups aim to enhance knowledge and understanding on a particular topic, while support groups provide emotional support and mutual assistance to individuals facing similar challenges. Skills groups focus on developing specific abilities or competencies through structured activities or exercises.
A Type of Treatment Group as a Social Worker:
As a social worker, I would facilitate a support group for individuals struggling with substance abuse. This treatment group would provide a safe and supportive environment for participants to share their experiences, learn coping strategies, and receive encouragement in their journey towards recovery.
Professional Role in Facilitating the Group:
The professional role I would assume as a group facilitator would be that of a guide, mediator, and advocate. As a guide, I would provide structure and facilitate discussions, ensuring that all participants have an opportunity to contribute. As a mediator, I would manage conflicts or disagreements that may arise within the group, fostering open communication and promoting resolution. Finally, as an advocate, I would ensure that the needs and rights of group members are respected and that appropriate resources are available to support their recovery process.
Group Norms and Shaping:
Group norms refer to the shared expectations and standards of behavior within a group. As a group facilitator, I would help shape these norms by establishing clear guidelines at the beginning of the group, encouraging open and respectful communication, and modeling positive behavior. Additionally, I would promote active participation and ensure that all members have equal opportunities to contribute. By consistently reinforcing desirable behaviors and addressing any deviations from established norms, I can shape a cohesive and supportive group dynamic.
Group Roles and Significance:
Group roles are patterns of behavior or functions assumed by individual group members within the group setting. One example of a group role is the “gatekeeper” role. A gatekeeper ensures that all members have an equal chance to participate by encouraging quieter members to speak up and managing dominant personalities. This role is crucial in maintaining balanced participation and creating an inclusive environment where everyone’s voice is heard.
Challenging Group Member Role:
One challenging group member role for me as a group leader might be the “resistant” role. A resistant member may exhibit resistance to change, challenge the facilitator’s authority, or create disruptions within the group. Dealing with resistance requires patience, empathy, and skilled intervention techniques to understand the underlying reasons for the resistance and address them appropriately while maintaining the therapeutic environment for other group members.
In conclusion, understanding the dynamics of group facilitation is essential for social workers in effectively leading various types of groups. By comprehending the differences between task groups and educational, support, or skills groups, social workers can tailor their approach accordingly. Additionally, shaping group norms and understanding the significance of group roles contribute to creating a cohesive and productive therapeutic environment.
References:
Toseland, R.W., & Rivas, R.F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Pearson.
Corey, M.S., Corey, G., & Haynes, R. (2018). Groups: Process and practice (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
