Chapter 8: A Reconstructed Theory of Structural Social Work

Question 1

We often use ________ in our everyday lives without even being aware that we are doing so

Answer 1

theories

Question 2

Sears and Cains point out that our thoughts and actions are based on 3 points, what are they?

Answer 2

1. Set of assumptions about the way the world works
2. Our own experiences
3. Generalizing from past experiences

Question 3

What are the 3 alternative sources of knowledge?

Answer 3

Logic, Tradition, and authority

Question 4

Some beliefs are ____-_______ and logical

Answer 4

self-evident

Question 5

Some beliefs just make ______

Answer 5

sense

Question 6

Unfortunately, logic can lead us to some beliefs that are just ______ ______

Answer 6

plain wrong

Question 7

Logic and common sense have led to some costly errors - what were the two examples talked about in class?

Answer 7

Scared Straight and the DARE program

Question 8

Some beliefs and ideas are accepted in our culture and generally not __________ or ___________

Answer 8

questioned; challenged

Question 9

Traditions may promote ___________ and continue oppression of some members of society

Answer 9

stereotypes

Question 10

Other knowledge is gained through deference to _________ _______

Answer 10

authority figures

Question 11

Unfortunately, people in authority are also subject to ____ and __________ experience

Answer 11

bias; limited

Question 12

What can logic, tradition, and authority do that may negatively impact us? (There is 3)

Answer 12

1. Affect our judgement
2. Cause us to draw erroneous conclusions
3. Promote faulty stereotypes and generalizations about people

Question 13

The ________ _______ is a way of thinking about and investigating assumptions

Answer 13

scientific method

Question 14

The scientific method is most likely to help us do our jobs as social workers most ___________

Answer 14

effectively

Question 15

New social work graduates are often described as ______, _________ and in need of __________

Answer 15

naive, idealistic; seasoning (practical experience)

Question 16

Researchers often feel that ______________ do not understand research or the value and use of it

Answer 16

practitioners

Question 17

Both ________ ______ and ____________ frameworks are needed for effective social work practice

Answer 17

practice wisdom; scientific

Question 18

The ___________/_________ alternative is a way of thinking about and investigating assumptions, biases, beliefs, and values

Answer 18

theoretical/scientific

Question 19

According to Howe (1987), theoretical ignorance as a professional virtue is wrong because:

Answer 19

1. Theory is part of everyday life—we all use theory. (So the question becomes, where did our personal theory come from? Logic? Tradition? Authority? Does it promote social justice?)
2. Theoretical ignorance leads to malpractice: It is a convenient excuse for sloppy and dishonest practice.

Question 20

Everyone (including social workers) sees people and their situation in ______ ____ or _______

Answer 20

one way; another

Question 21

No perceptions are theory-free because they are based on certain fundamental beliefs and assumptions about _______, ______, and the relationship between the two

Answer 21

people, society

Question 22

Just because a social worker cannot imagine any other way of viewing a situation does not mean that their perspective is ___________ ___ _______

Answer 22

unrelated to theory

Question 23

Structural social work is part of a school of social theory known as _________ ______

Answer 23

critical theory

Question 24

Critical theory provides _________ and _________ to traditional, mainstream social theory, philosophy and science

Answer 24

criticisms; alternatives

Question 25

Critical theory is motivated by an interest in the ___________ of those who are oppressed, informed by a critique of _________, and is driven by a goal of _________

Answer 25

emancipation; domination; liberation

Question 26

Critical theory- and therefore structural social work- is dependent on _________ _______

Answer 26

critical thinking

Question 27

Without thinking, one may go through life _________ to one’s conditions and others

Answer 27

oblivious

Question 28

Critical thinking is not merely thinking. It is the __________ _______ of understanding one’s thoughts and articulating them

Answer 28

comprehensive practice

Question 29

Critical thinking requires us to not only strive to understand our own thinking, but also understand the _________ __________ of others

Answer 29

diverse thinking

Question 30

What are the two questions that are fundamental to structural social work and that would elicit disagreement among social workers?

Answer 30

1. Should structural social workers stay inside or outside the social welfare system?
2. Should structural social workers concentrate on changing people’s consciousness as a prerequisite to social change or do they concentrate on changing structural patterns as a prerequisite to changing people’s consciousness?

Question 31

The concept of _________ is an essential component of structural social work

Answer 31

dialectics

Question 32

Dialectics help social work avoid the construction of ______ _________ that have been a part of social with tradition

Answer 32

false dichotomies

Question 33

Dialectical analysis is based on a view of society and social processes as containing _________ ______ that must be unravelled and understood

Answer 33

contradictory opposites

Question 34

Rather than forcing one approach to social change, structural social work needs to _______ _____

Answer 34

advance both

Question 35

As discussed in Chapter 9, oppression leads to ______________

Answer 35

powerlessness

Question 36

___________ is understood as a processes through which people reduce their powerlessness and gain greater control over their environment

Answer 36

Empowerment

Question 37

Empowerment is a series of attacks on _______________

Answer 37

subordination

Question 38

What are the 5 practical steps on empowerment according to Moreau and Leonard (1989)?

Answer 38

1. Sharing with clients the content of case notes.
2. Directly involving clients in decisions that affect them.
3. Reducing the social distance between worker and service user by use of self-disclosure, casual dress, giving the rationale for techniques, use of first names, direct clear speech, and body language.
4. Sharing with clients one’s personal biases and limits as part of the “helping” contract.
5. Providing information on the role of the agency and the rights of the client and letting them know the worker is there to serve them.