Chapter 3: Theories Flashcards
___ theories comprise general explanations about underlying makeup and workings of society, focusing on personality/behaviour/social/political/economic
foundational
ex. of foundational theories?
cognitive, ecological, structural, critical, systems
___ theories are specific to SW practise in real world contexts, focus on factors important for practitioners assess client situation and work with client to determine most effective intervention
practice
ex. of practise theories?
client-centred models, strengths based models, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, narrative therapy
two categories of theoretical perspectives?
conventional and progressive
conventional approaches?
ecological, cognitive, systems
progressive approaches?
critical, structural, anti-oppressive
social workers need to be ____
generalists (learn about and understand wide array of theories and practice models)
___ theory places person in series of interdependent relationships and their immediate environments
ecological
ecological theory uses ___ to show patterns of positive and negative interactions that comprise client’s family/social situation
ecomaps
Carel Germain and Alex Gitterman used ideas from ecology and biology to develop ___ model of social work
life
SW who use ecological perspective incorporate ____ philosophy because work typically involves strong element of ____ and _____
humanist; empathy; reflection
___ theory underlies range of potentially effective intervention strategies which have roots in psychodynamic perspective (Freud)
cognitive
why psychodynamic theory important?
help uncover complexity of human mind and move from moralism to more open, therapeutic approach
______ put limits on extent which ppl can actively pursue basic needs
norms and values
according to cognitive perspecitve, goals of social work are to:
1) understand cognitive roots of irrational/troubling behaviour 2) use specific techniques like talk therapy to expose source of prob 3) use insights to resolve issue and help ppl cope better
____ theory focuses on working of wider social systems/structures such as family, community, school, place of worship, workplace; function of these systems critical to satisfactory resolution of client prob
systems
levels of systems (from smallest to largest):
individual, microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem
this theory is largely Canadian, traced to work of Maurice Moreau
structural
skills in structural social work similar to ones used in ____ theory
ecological
practitioners of structural SW consider:
all dimensions of personal probs, particularly attuned to less visible structural elements of probs such as SoDH
structural SW need to be skilled in:
casework, family counselling, group work, community organizing, social policy, social welfare issues
specific structural theories included in critical theory:
feminist theory, anti-racist, post-colonial theory
what does critical theory focus on?
analyse socioeconomic structures that oppress/exploit ppl
critical social work draws on notion of ____
empowerment
three aspects of empowerment:
1) explicitly identified power elements in client-worker relationship 2) explicit experience of control by clients 3) explicit support by SW of client’s effort to gain greater control over lives and promote change
what is antioppressive theory?
cluster of theories that share goal of understanding and responding to oppressive social conditions and relationships
two major types of anti-oppressive social work:
feminist and anti-racist
components of anti-oppressive perspective:
1) ppl’s everyday experience shaped by multiple oppressions 2) social justice oriented SW focuses on helping client while also address root of issue 3) need to build allies and work with social mvmts/causes 4) participatory approaches 5) self-reflexive practice and analysis important
micro level practice focuses on _____ and aims to promote healthy personal fxn, social relationships, interactions with resources
individuals, families, small groups
meso level practice focuses on _____ and aims to promote change in group dynamics, structures, practices
formal groups, organizations, service delivery networks
macro level practice focuses on ________
social probs in community, institutional, and policy-related contexts.