Chapter 2: Social Work Theories Flashcards
How do some Social Workers feel about theory?
Theory is often viewed as esoteric, abstract and something people discuss in universities. Practice, on the other hand, is seen as common sense, concrete, and occurring in the real world.
Why does Howe suggest all practice is theory based and what is Theory-Saturated activity?
we are constantly perceiving, assessing, and making decisions. These activities are never theory-free because they are based on certain fundamental assumptions about the nature of people, society, and relationships between the two. These assumptions enable social workers to make sense of any situation; making sense is what Howe (1987) refers to as a “theory-saturated activity”
What is Theory?
A theory represents an explanatory framework that aims to help us make sense of the complexity of human lives and behaviour. Theories help us structure and organize our thinking and enable us to establish what we think is going on.
What is a concept? And what are the two parts?
Building blocks of theory that tend to have two parts: a symbol (representing a word or term) and a definition.
What is purist approach?
When a social worker regularly draws upon a particular theory or theoretical perspective regardless of the nature of a client’s presenting issues.
Three reasons that one theory may not fit?
- It may not resonate with a client,
- May be at odds with a client’s goals and desires for change,
- May be inappropriate to a particular culture or context.
What is eclectic approach?
When using this approach, a social worker draws upon a range of theories and techniques from different theoretical perspectives.
Two reasons many theories may not work?
- a lack of in-depth knowledge of numerous theories may lead to a superficial and even inappropriate use of a variety of theories.
- amalgamating theories can be problematic if the fundamental assumptions of the theories are inconsistent
What are the 5 preliminary questions one should ask when choosing a theory?
- Why have I chosen this/these particular theoretical perspective(s)?
- How will it/they benefit the client(s)/case in question?
- What are some limitations of drawing upon the theory/theories in my daily practice?
- How can these limitations be addressed?
- What are some potential alternatives?
How do theories vary? 4
Theories vary according to time, social conditions, cultures, and contexts.
What are the 5 theoretical perspectives discussed?
- Ecosystem theories
- Onion peeling theories
- Faulty engine theories
- Storytelling theories
- Mountain moving theories
What are ecosystem theories?
Focus on the fundamental interactions between people and their social and physical environments.
What are onion peeling theories?
Focus on peeling back the layers of past experiences in order for people to gain insight and awareness into what prevents them from moving forward in their lives.
What are faulty engine theories?
Shift the focus of practice attention not to the past, but to the present.
What are story telling theories?
Focus on how stories can be reinterpreted to enable more positive and rewarding life outcomes.
What is a narrative?
“A story which performs social functions” (Fook, 2002, p. 132). Narratives are said to have particular structures that serve to provide some kind of meaning for the teller. Most narratives contain a temporal ordering of events, or an incident and a consequence.
What are mountain moving theories?
Focus on eliminating disadvantage and empowering people to realize their hopes for themselves, their families, and their communities.
What does ecosystem theories study?
Ecosystem theories study the reciprocal relationships among individuals, groups, organizations, and communities; investigate mutually influencing factors in the environment; and seek holistic change by examining the interacting components.
What does ecosystem theories assessment and intervention focus on?
- focus on improving the relationship between people and their social environments.
- To work with people without consideration of their environments or vice versa
What was Mary Richmonds ‘Social Diagnosis’ recognized
Recognized social work as systems approach
What interdependence did Richmond notice and what did she challenge?
Working with the poor and marginalized in the United States in the early 1900s, Richmond identified the interdependence of people and context and challenged the notion that there was a single cause of family difficulty.
Who developed general systems theory?
Ludwig von Bertalanffy
What did general theory state?
biological theory sees all organisms as systems, composed of subsystems, and, in turn, part of super-systems.
What are the 4 layers of social systems according to Bronfenbrenner?
- Microsystem
- Mesosystem
- Exosystem
- Macrosystem
What is the macrosystem?
Systems that exert influence on all other systems, such as social policies, societal norms and values, and economic systems.
What is the mesosystem?
The interrelations among the systems in which the developing person actively participates, such as school, work, family, or neighbourhood.
What is the exosystem?
One or more systems that do not involve the developing person directly as an active participant but in which events occur that can affect or are affected by the person, such as a parent’s workplace or the working conditions of a nurse providing care to the individual.
What is the microsystem?
A pattern of activities, roles, physical and mental abilities, and interpersonal relations experienced by the developing person.
What is an eco-map?
A pictorial representation of a person’s connections to other people or systems in their environment.
What are the four key elements involved in crisis intervention in ecosystem approaches?
- undertaking a rapid psychosocial assessment;
- drawing upon clients’ strengths, whether psychological or social networks;
- providing resources to help people build a new language and understanding of their experiences; and
- creating a strong rapport with clients.
What is the perspective on onion peeling theories?
human behaviour is a consequence of complex relationships, drives, personality development, and the conscious and unconscious mind
Why the metaphor of an onion?
While these layers have the capacity to protect us, they can also act as barriers to the realization of our needs and desires. With greater understanding of the influential layers and their origins, this theoretical perspective asserts that conscious change, greater emotional maturity, and optimal functioning become increasingly possible.
What is the belief of psychodynamic theory?
that our inner world—namely our dreams, fantasies, and unconscious experiences—profoundly influence who we are, how we feel, and what we do.
What are the key themes to psychodynamic theory? 4
- key role the past plays in our present lives,
- the importance of inner drives and motivations,
- the organization of our inner selves, stages of psychosocial development, and
- attachment,
Role of past in the present?
From the perspective of psychodynamic theory, our past is critical to understanding our present—our current behaviours, realities, or problems. It argues that unresolved past conflicts that can be traced back to particular events, such as childhood traumas or developmental challenges, bring forth responses that inhibit optimal functioning in the present.
Role of inner drives and motivations?
Our inner lives—our unconscious drives and motivations—are in constant interaction with the external world. Freud devoted his life to studying inner drives and motivations, and psychodynamic theory was intended as a science of discovery—a tool by which to rediscover unconscious thoughts, feelings, and drives. While psychosexual drives were seen as core elements in early Freudian thinking, more contemporary understandings focus on safety and security as primary drives.
Organizations of inner self?
Broken into id, ego and super ego
What is the id?
Refers to one’s unconscious, composed of powerful forces of drives, instincts, and desires.
What is the super ego?
Acts as “the conscience” and develops during one’s childhood through socialization. It is the internalization of societal values and norms taught by parents and caregivers. The superego is meant to control the id’s drives and desires.
What is the ego?
Balances and mediates the desires of the id and the external demands of the superego.
What are freuds development stages (5) and how do they shape our lives?
Freud identified key stages (oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital) through which humans move as they age. In each of these stages, an individual experiences particular challenges, which are normally resolved, and then moves on toward the next developmental stage. However, any childhood trauma that takes place during a particular stage may lead to the individual becoming “stuck” at that stage, potentially leading to future difficulties in adulthood.
What does attachment theory focus on?
focus on emotions and early childhood development as the basis for later relationships and emotional problems. A key interest is how early experiences of attachment are an important foundation for later social competence.
What are person centred approaches?
put the client at the centre of the practice and focus on client self-determination.
