Chapter 5: Building Relationships with the Community Flashcards
What are the beliefs of a person-in-environment perspective on relationship development?
-People have biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions
-Their environment comprises physical, interpersonal, and socio-cultural components
-All these dimensions and components interact and provide a foundation for relationships between individuals, groups, organizations, etc.
What is a genogram?
A chart used when working from a person-in-environment perspective to show individuals and their relationships to one another in a family
What is a social network map?
A type of genogram used when working from a person-in-environment perspective that includes all relationships within and outside a family
What is a community asset map?
A type of genogram used when working from a person-in-environment perspective that is made up of 3 components:
-Resources located within and that are under a community’s control
-Resources located within a community but controlled by outsiders
-Resources originating outside the community that are controlled by outsiders
What is general systems theory?
-An interdisciplinary perspective that emphasizes interactions and interdependence
What are some of the key beliefs/focuses of general systems theory?
-A system is a group of interrelated parts that perform some function together
-Focuses on the contributions of different components to maintain system survival/meet the system’s goal
-Systems need to be adaptable
-Individuals have unique perspectives on there realities and there are no universal truths
-A system is more than the sum of its parts
What is a focal system?
The system of interest/focus in general systems theory (ex. a neighbourhood)
What is a suprasystem?
The larger systems that a focal system is connected to, in general systems theory (ex. the town or city)
What is a subsystem?
The smaller systems that a focal system is connected to, in general systems theory (ex. a street or residential building)
What are boundaries, in general systems theory?
Patterns of behaviour that characterize the relationships within a system and give it an identity (ex. who is included in the idea of “family”)
What is meant by “permeability” in general systems theory?
System boundaries are movable, to different degrees; some systems are closed (resistant to outside influence) while others are open (amenable to influence from outside the system)
What is meant by “role” in general systems theory?
A culturally determined pattern of behaviour expected of an individual in a specified social relationship; consistency is expected for a particular person in a particular conditions
What is a “role” in general systems theory?
A culturally determined pattern of behaviour expected of an individual in a specified social relationship
What is meant by “relationships” in general systems theory?
Mutual exchange, dynamic interaction, and affective + cognitive + behavioural connection between two or more individuals/systems
What is “interface” in general systems theory?
The point of contact between two systems where communication takes place, information is exchanged, and energy is transferred
What is “synergy” in general systems theory?
What happens when two systems combine efforts
According to general systems theory, what are the 3 main functions of systems?
-Goal direction (directing energy toward goals)
-Input (information or energy that comes into the system from other systems)
-Output (what happens after an input has been processed by the system)
What is “feedback” in general systems theory?
A type of input whereby the system gets information about its performance, which the system learns from
What is “differentiation” in general systems theory?
The tendency of systems to become more complex over time, leading to entropy or negative entropy
What are “entropy” and “negative entropy” in general systems theory?
Entropy: progress towards disorganization
Negative entropy: progress toward higher levels of organization
What is “equifinality” in general systems theory?
Recognition that there are many ways to achieve the same goal
What is an “area of action” in general systems theory? What systems does it contain?
-The context for community development which includes all those systems that contribute to or detract from a goal
-Contains the benefit system, action system, and target system
What is a “benefit system” in general systems theory?
The beneficiary of a community change
What is an “action system” in general systems theory?
The community members who do something to disrupt a situation and cause a change
What is a “target system” in general systems theory?
The affected system in a community change; the system that is being pressured to change
What are the central beliefs of the human ecological perspective?
-Communities develop the same way as ecosystems because of competition for scarce resources
-People actively create or gravitate towards environments where they have a goodness-of-fit
-People interact within multiple environments, which includes physical settings and interpersonal interactions
-Interactions between people are embedded within micro, meso, exo, and macro environments
What is “goodness-of-fit” in the human ecological perspective?
The quality of the relationship between people and their environments; a poor goodness-of-fit results in stress
What are “transactions” in the human ecological perspective?
The interactions that people have with their environments, with the purpose of adapting/fitting in; failure to adapt results in stress
What is the “micro level” in the human ecological perspective?
Individuals and their families, as well as other immediate social settings like workplaces, classrooms, and friendship groups
What is the “meso level” in the human ecological perspective?
The interactions between the individual and the immediate environment
What is the “exo level” in the human ecological perspective?
Institutions that influence relationships in the immediate environment
What is the “macro level” in the human ecological perspective?
Societal expectations, culture, and common beliefs
What is colonization theory?
The basis on which relationships first began and developed between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in Canada; different forms are defined using the colonizers’ motivations
What are the 12 types of colonialism?
-Plater colonialism
-Extractive colonialism
-Trade colonialism
-Transport colonialism
-Imperial power colonization
-Not-in-my-backyard colonialism
-Legal colonialism
-Missionary colonialism
-Rogue colonialism
-Romantic colonialism
-Postcolonial colonialism
-Settler colonialism
What is planter colonialism?
The importing of slaves or indentured workers to assist the minority ruling class in the pass production of a crop
What is extractive colonialism?
The extraction of raw material without regard for effects on the land and its inhabitants
What is trade colonialism?
The harvest of raw materials from the colony to be processed in the homeland and sold back to the colony
What is transport colonialism?
The use of the colony as an access point for colonizers to reach destinations with increased efficiency or safety
What is imperial power colonization?
Expansion for the sake of expansion
What is not-in-my-backyard colonialism?
The use of other lands for waste or experimentation
What is legal colonialism?
The establishment of superior legal authority in another territory, by diplomacy or force
What is missionary colonialism?
The conversion of inhabitants to the missionaries’ worldviews
What is rogue colonialism?
A colonizing effort that is not state sanctioned
What is romantic colonialism?
Overtaking a territory for the purpose of providing an “escape” from everyday life, including an expectation that inhabitants will “play along” in fantasies held by the colonizers
What is postcolonial colonialism?
Efforts to ensure the continued dependency or colonial imprint on a colony for years after its independence
What is settler colonialism, and what are its 3 distinguishing aspects?
The eradication of Indigenous Peoples; achieved through replacing original inhabitants with a settler society that eventually achieves a single identity and sovereignty; aims to eliminate the potential for challenges by Indigenous peoples using false information/stories to legitimize settler belonging
What are the 3 qualities of settler societies?
-A perception that lands used by first people for long periods of time are not actually in use, and therefore open to claim
-The creation of authorities to oversee and manage all activities (ex. Indian agents, residential schools, reserves, etc.)
-The construction of stories by settlers that represent Indigenous peoples as “savage” and themselves as “brave explorers” who civilized the land’s original inhabitants
What are the stages in the hierarchy of needs?
- Self-actualization (epitome of health and happiness)
- Esteem needs (being respected by others, having belief in oneself)
- Love and belonging needs (healthy relationships)
- Safety and security needs (ex. employment, adequate housing)
- Physiological/survival needs (ex. food, shelter, exercise)
What is the difference between specialist cultures and generalist cultures?
Specialist: individuality, compartmentalization, secularism, egalitarianism, gender integration, independence, questioning traditional beliefs, isolation, need for space
Generalist: collectivism, holisticism, religion, hierarchical, gender segregation, interdependence, traditional beliefs, connection, little need for space
What are the different aspects of personality, according to Myers-Briggs
-Extroversion/introversion (ways of relating to others)
-Concrete sensing/abstract intuition (ways of taking in information)
-Thinking/feeling (ways of making decisions)
-Judging and planning/perceiving and spontaneity (ways of relating to the outer world)
What is cultural competence?
A set of congruent behaviours, attitudes, and policies that come together to allow individuals/groups to work effectively in cross-cultural situations
What are the 6 stages of cultural competence?
-Cultural destructiveness (assimilation, subjugation, and restriction)
-Cultural incapacity (racism, maintenance of discrimination)
-Cultural blindness (belief that everyone is the same, acting to benefit the dominant cultural group)
-Cultural pre-competence (differences are acknowledged and explored, needs are identified and addressed)
-Cultural competence (understanding and appreciation for differences, obtaining advice and direction in issues outside one’s cultural expertise, active opposition to bias)
-Cultural proficiency (promoting and making change based on cultural needs)
What are some benefits of diversity in community work? (3)
-Inclusiveness
-Creativity
-Combination of unique abilities
What is a major challenge in developing relationships among people from diverse backgrounds?
Effective communication
How can a community worker develop their own cultural competency?
-Awareness of values, beliefs, and discomfort when interacting with people from different backgrounds
-Learning about the culture they are preparing to work with (customs, beliefs, traditions, and experiences of oppression)
-Recognizing diversity within a culture and being open to responding to each person’s unique experience
What is meant by the statement “power is reciprocal”?
All parties in a relationship have power, but not necessarily the same amount; power is neutral, but the way it is used can be negative or positive
What are the 6 different types of power?
-Coercive
-Reward
-Expert
-Referent
-Information
-Legitimate
What is coercive power?
Based on fear; influences through the threat of punishment
What is reward power?
Based on an expectation of positive benefits; influences through the offer of a reward
What is expert power?
Based on expertise and a particular set of skills or specialized knowledge
What is referent power?
Associated with a person who possesses desirable resources or special traits; influence is the result of others’ desire to emulate the source (a role model)
What is information power?
Based on persuasiveness or content of communication
What is legitimate power?
Associated with the position held within an organization, rather than the actual individual in the position
How is authority different from power?
-Influence that is assigned to a person or position
-Implies a voluntary agreement on the part of others to recognize the rights of this person/position to give orders
What are the 3 types of authority?
Traditional, legal-rational, and charismatic
What is traditional authority?
Based on the person, on history, and on following customs (ex. an Indigenous Elder)
What is rational-legal authority?
Based on the position, rules, and procedures that have been written down (ex. executive director of an agency)
What is charismatic authority?
Based on the person and often associated with a revolution against customs or rules; religious or political influence that thrives on the short-term enthusiasm of social change
What are the 5 forms of oppression?
-Exploitation
-Marginalization
-Powerlessness
-Cultural imperialism
-Violence
What is exploitation?
Oppression in which the dominant group is able to built status and influence from the energy of the subordinate group
What is marginalization?
Oppression which involves the creation and maintenance of an underclass of people who do not participate equally with others in the labour market
What is powerlessness?
Oppression through inhibited capacity to develop fully as a person, lack of power to make decisions, and subjugation to disrespectful treatment
What is cultural imperialism?
Oppression through the imposition of values, beliefs, and traditions of a cultural majority, based on assumptions that those experiences are shared by all cultures
What is oppression through violence?
The fear or experience of physical harm, harassment, ridicule, or intimidation because of one’s membership in a certain group
What are the 3 (sometimes competing) contexts of community work relationships?
-Professional (codes of ethics, practice standards, etc.)
What is the difference between a code of ethics and a set of practice standards?
Code of ethics: the values that professionals use to guide practice; general principles that do not dictate particular courses of action
Practice standards: provide direction for handling particular situations and ethical dilemmas
What are the 6 core values of the CASW Code of Ethics?
-Respect for inherent dignity and worth of persons
-Pursuit of social justice
-Service to humanity
-Integrity of professional practice
-Confidentiality in professional practice
-Competence in professional practice
How do ethics for community practice differ from ethics for clinical practice?
Ethics for community practice…
-Have a goal for social change, not personal wellness
-Acknowledge that those affected by change might not be in direct contact with the worker
-Require critical examination of problematic social and economic forces
-Allow for workers to be part of the group they are representing
-Recognize that decisions about how to proceed are situational
What 7 principles should be used to guide ethical decisions in community practice?
-Identification of the ethical principle at hand
-Collection of additional information needed to resolve the dilemma
-Identification of ethical values that apply
-Recognition of potential conflicts of interest and beneficiaries
-Ranking of ethical rules in terms of their importance
-Determination of the consequences of applying different rules
What is a mission statement, and what 3 questions should it answer?
Gives overall direction to an organization’s activities, as well as the purpose for it existing
-What are the opportunities or needs that we exist to address?
-What are we doing to address those needs?
-What principles or beliefs guide our work?
How do organizations define the group(s) they work with?
By service area (physical geographic community) and population served (demographics of those they work with)
What are the 5 main qualities of community workers?
-Visibility
-Relationships with community
-Self-definitions
-Contextual sensitivity
-Intervention processes
What is leadership?
A process whereby an individual influences a group to achieve a common goal
What is the “great man theory” of leadership?
A western perspective that believes leaders are “born, not made”
What is the focus of trait theories of leadership?
Distinguishing between emergent (hereditary/innate) and effectiveness (learned skill) characteristics of leaders
What does a contingency theory of leadership believe?
There are ideal combinations of leadership qualities for particular circumstances: democratic (productivity), autocratic (output), and laissez-faire (maintaining status quo)
What is servant leadership, and what are some qualities of this type of leader?
Leaders are constructed as servants of the people and work to shift influence from themselves to those they lead.
-Listening to those they lead
-Having empathy
-Caring for others’ wellbeing
-Awareness of the realities of others’ lives
-Persuasion to consider a progressive message
-Vision for the future
-Anticipation of new developments
-Responsibility and commitment to people’s growth
-Building a sense of community
What is transformational leadership, and what are some qualities of this type of leader?
Involves a purpose for reaching a common good while aligning individuals and groups with strengths that contributes to that goal.
-A visionary who invites others to become leaders themselves
-Seek to move people toward higher and more universal needs/purposes
-Seek to reach goals through relationships with their followers
-Charismatic
-Inspirational
-Care and concern for others
-Show followers how to innovate and challenge beliefs
What is adaptive leadership, and what are some qualities of this type of leader?
Focuses on the leader’s influence as a vehicle through which organizations navigate change
-Influential and able to mobilize followers
-“Big picture” perspective
-Identify challenges that matter to followers
-Create space for discussion and release of stress
-Keep followers focused on their need for change
-Find collaborative ways to address issues
-Take special interest in those who are least often heard
What are the 4 major types of relationships in community practice?
-Confrontation
-Negotiation
-Collaboration
-Co-optation
What is a confrontation relationship in community practice?
Energy applied to induce a target and respond to the needs of a benefit group; used when a target is unmotivated, unresponsive, or unprepared
-Character attacks
-Lawsuits
-Cutting off support
-Civil disobedience
What are the benefits and limitations of confrontation relationships in community work?
Benefits: strengthening the benefit group, intimidating an opponent, catching the other side off-guard
Limitations: requires strong commitment from members, heavy emotional costs, reluctance for cooperation from the other side, fighting for the sake of fighting
What is a negotiation relationship in community work?
Energy applied to obtain something from the target, which may come at the expense of the benefit or target group; useful when the target has legitimacy with your group’s interests, when you want to work with the target in the future, or there is something the target wants from you too
What is the difference between positional and principled negotiation?
Positional: a win-lose situation where the target gives up something and the benefit group gains something
Principled: a win-win situation where target and benefit group give up something and gain something
What are some benefits and limitations of a negotiation relationship in community work?
Benefits: good chance of getting something you want, setting a precedent that disagreements can be worked out, willingness to see both sides gain, setting the stage for discussing other issues
Limitations: loss of some non-negotiable items, distraction from more important issues, settle for too little and weakening your position, and poor handling of the process reducing chances for future negotiation
What is a collaboration relationship in community work?
Working together and sharing resources and ownership; useful when a group has resources to offer, wants to enter a working relationship with another group, would like to teach the other group about their work, or wants to increase the other group’s dependence on them
What are some benefits and limitations to a collaboration relationship in community work?
Benefits: increased resources, increased influence, mutual support, increased interdependence
Limitations: unresolvable problems, fear of addressing problems because of progress made, unequal sharing of responsibilities or credit, and energy required to maintain relationship
What is a co-optation relationship in community work?
The deliberate intent to influence an external critic by bringing that critic into the group; useful when a target is not a good candidate for confrontation, members of the group are amenable to affiliation, or there is a particular critic you would like to silence
What are the benefits and limitations of a co-optation relationship in community work?
Benefits: silencing a critic, gaining information about the competition, gaining access to a community that has not been open to you, possibility to form an alliance with little investment
Limitations: potential of revealing too much information, being influenced by the person brought in, and being seen as manipulative
