Human Development, Diversity, and Behavior in the Environment Flashcards
5 factors that influence people and their behaviors that are the basis of the ecological perspective/model
individual, interpersonal, institutional, community, public policy
individual factors
differences unique to each client (knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, general personality style, disposition)
interpersonal factors
social support, social cohesion, work relationships, friendships, and/or religious belonging
institutional factors
rules, regulations, and informal structures in organizations where clients live and work (dress expectations, smoking, rules about social interaction)
community factors
social environment in which clients live (social resources/networks, community norms)
public policy factors
regulations and laws (using seat belts, not using drugs, limits on physical aggression)
8 theoretical perspectives of social work that help explain human behavior
systems, conflict, rational choice, social constructionist, psychodynamic, developmental, social behavioral, humanistic
Systems Theory
Systems are made up of interrelated parts; each part impacts all others as well as the system as a whole. the dynamic interactions within, between and among systems produce both stability and change
Conflict Theory
Clients try to advance their own interests over the interests of others as they compete for scarce resources. Power is unequally divided and some social groups dominate others. Members of non-dominant groups become alienated from society. Social change is driven by conflict.
Rational Choice Theory
Clients are rational and goal directed and human interaction involves the exchange of social resources such as love, approval, information, money, and physical labor. Clients have self interest and try to maximize rewards and minimize costs. Power comes from unequal resources in exchanges
Social Constructionist Theory
Social reality is created when clients in social interaction develop a common understanding of their world. Clients are influenced by social processes that are grounded in customs as well as cultural and historical contexts
Psychodynamic Theory
Unconscious, as well as conscious, mental activity serves as the motivating force in human behavior. Early childhood experiences are central and clients may become overwhelmed by internal and external demands. Defense mechanisms are used to avoid becoming overwhelmed
Developmental Theory
Human development occurs in defined, age-related stages that build upon one another and are distinct. Human development is a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors
Social Behavioral Theory
Human behavior is learned when clients interact with the environment through association, reinforcement, and imitation. All human problems can be formulated as undesirable behavior and can be changed through techniques such as classical and operant conditioning
Humanistic Perspective Theory
Each client is unique and is responsible for the choices he or she makes. Clients have the capacity to change themselves because human behavior is driven by a desire for growth, personal meaning, and competence. Behaving in ways that are not consistent with the true self causes clients anxiety
