[TYPE THE COMPANY NAME]
BSW3702 PORTFOLIO
(COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE
1 October 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
[Pick the date]
[Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of
the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of
the contents of the document.]
,Exam (elaborations)
BSW3702 PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 1 October 2025
Course
Group Work: Theories, Approaches and Models (BSW3702)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
A-Z of Groups and Groupwork
BSW3702 PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 1 October 2025;
100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and explanations. Ensure your
success with us.....
FINAL ASSESSMENT BSW3702 Due: 01 October 2025 This portfolio consists of
two compulsory questions that are based on a case study. Please read the
case study carefully to ensure that you understand it before you attempt to
answer the questions. Your portfolio must adhere to the requirements
provided in the attached Addendum A. There is no extension beyond the set
due date.
1.1 Briefly discuss the field theory and its applicability in group work (08)
Field theory and its applicability in group
work (model answer — exam-ready)
Intro (2 marks)
Field Theory (Kurt Lewin) is a social-psychological framework that explains behaviour as the
product of the person and their environment: B = f(P, E) (behaviour is a function of the person
and their psychological environment or “life-space”). It emphasises dynamic forces within a
“field” (the total psychological situation) that push or pull behaviour.
Core concepts (6 marks)
1. Life-space — the person’s psychological world at a given time: needs, perceptions,
goals, past experiences and the immediate social/physical environment.
, 2. B = f(P, E) — behaviour emerges from the interaction between personal variables (P)
and environmental variables (E).
3. Forces / Vectors — factors with direction and strength that move the person toward
(driving forces) or away from (restraining forces) goals.
4. Valence — the attractiveness or aversiveness of objects/goals in the field (positive or
negative pull).
5. Barrier / Region — psychological or structural boundaries that restrict movement in the
life-space.
6. Quasi-stationary state / equilibrium — a temporary balance of driving and restraining
forces; change requires altering that balance (force-field analysis).
Applicability to group work — how and why it is useful (6
marks)
1. Assessment: view the group as a field.
o The group’s life-space includes members’ needs, roles, norms, relationship
patterns, physical setting and wider social context. Assessing these elements helps
the practitioner understand why the group behaves as it does.
2. Force-field analysis to plan interventions.
o Identify driving forces (shared goals, leader support, external rewards) and
restraining forces (fear of criticism, poor communication, role conflict). Change
is achieved by strengthening driving forces or weakening restraining ones.
3. Designing the environment for change.
o Modify situational factors (seating, confidentiality rules, schedule) to reduce
barriers and increase a sense of safety — thereby changing behaviour without
only trying to change internal traits.
4. Facilitator role: shifting vectors.
o The group worker acts to alter the field: clarify goals (increase valence), mediate
conflicts (reduce restraining forces), create opportunities for success (increase
driving forces), and restructure tasks/roles.
5. Explaining group dynamics and resistance.
o Resistance is explained as strong restraining forces or a stable quasi-stationary
equilibrium. Understanding this guides realistic, staged interventions (small wins
first).
6. Focus on interactional change rather than solely intrapersonal change.
o Field theory supports interventions aimed at systems-level change (norms, rules,
physical context) which are often more efficient in group settings.
Practical techniques and examples (6 marks)
BSW3702 PORTFOLIO
(COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE
1 October 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
[Pick the date]
[Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of
the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of
the contents of the document.]
,Exam (elaborations)
BSW3702 PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 1 October 2025
Course
Group Work: Theories, Approaches and Models (BSW3702)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
A-Z of Groups and Groupwork
BSW3702 PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 1 October 2025;
100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and explanations. Ensure your
success with us.....
FINAL ASSESSMENT BSW3702 Due: 01 October 2025 This portfolio consists of
two compulsory questions that are based on a case study. Please read the
case study carefully to ensure that you understand it before you attempt to
answer the questions. Your portfolio must adhere to the requirements
provided in the attached Addendum A. There is no extension beyond the set
due date.
1.1 Briefly discuss the field theory and its applicability in group work (08)
Field theory and its applicability in group
work (model answer — exam-ready)
Intro (2 marks)
Field Theory (Kurt Lewin) is a social-psychological framework that explains behaviour as the
product of the person and their environment: B = f(P, E) (behaviour is a function of the person
and their psychological environment or “life-space”). It emphasises dynamic forces within a
“field” (the total psychological situation) that push or pull behaviour.
Core concepts (6 marks)
1. Life-space — the person’s psychological world at a given time: needs, perceptions,
goals, past experiences and the immediate social/physical environment.
, 2. B = f(P, E) — behaviour emerges from the interaction between personal variables (P)
and environmental variables (E).
3. Forces / Vectors — factors with direction and strength that move the person toward
(driving forces) or away from (restraining forces) goals.
4. Valence — the attractiveness or aversiveness of objects/goals in the field (positive or
negative pull).
5. Barrier / Region — psychological or structural boundaries that restrict movement in the
life-space.
6. Quasi-stationary state / equilibrium — a temporary balance of driving and restraining
forces; change requires altering that balance (force-field analysis).
Applicability to group work — how and why it is useful (6
marks)
1. Assessment: view the group as a field.
o The group’s life-space includes members’ needs, roles, norms, relationship
patterns, physical setting and wider social context. Assessing these elements helps
the practitioner understand why the group behaves as it does.
2. Force-field analysis to plan interventions.
o Identify driving forces (shared goals, leader support, external rewards) and
restraining forces (fear of criticism, poor communication, role conflict). Change
is achieved by strengthening driving forces or weakening restraining ones.
3. Designing the environment for change.
o Modify situational factors (seating, confidentiality rules, schedule) to reduce
barriers and increase a sense of safety — thereby changing behaviour without
only trying to change internal traits.
4. Facilitator role: shifting vectors.
o The group worker acts to alter the field: clarify goals (increase valence), mediate
conflicts (reduce restraining forces), create opportunities for success (increase
driving forces), and restructure tasks/roles.
5. Explaining group dynamics and resistance.
o Resistance is explained as strong restraining forces or a stable quasi-stationary
equilibrium. Understanding this guides realistic, staged interventions (small wins
first).
6. Focus on interactional change rather than solely intrapersonal change.
o Field theory supports interventions aimed at systems-level change (norms, rules,
physical context) which are often more efficient in group settings.
Practical techniques and examples (6 marks)
