Social Work Practice in Small Social Forms

The paper examines collectivi~ as a social form distinguishable from group, but unacknowledged as it is employed in the profession of social work. Variables are identified which, through their presence, absence, or variant operation, either arrest a potential group short of the attainment of the characteristic features of group, or create a simpler, less developed social form which lacks the capability of becoming a group. The paper explores the potential capability of collectivity as a social form for helping purposes. The use of collectivity as an accidental entity is differentiated from inten- tional, rationalized uses of collectivity deliberately selected on the basis of its particular inherent characteristics.