Lecture 8

Question 1

Why study social policy? (5)

Answer 1

Understand how policy affects clients
How monetary systems work in funding for social programs
Who does /doesn’t benefit from a specific policy
To understand why some policies stay unchanged, while others are changed or removed
To understand the social environment in which we live and work (the person in environment theory)

Question 2

What is policy practice?

Answer 2

Using social work skills to propose and change policies to achieve the goal of social and economic justice. It is an integral element of social work practice in all settings.

Question 3

When did the person-in-environment theory become implemented in practice?

Answer 3

Mid 20th century

Question 4

Theory developed based on the behaviours of macro-level CAN OR CANNOT be directly applied to the level of individual?

Answer 4

It can not be.

Question 5

From which field of study was systems theory first developed?

Answer 5

Biology (1940s)

Question 6

What three areas was systems theory first developed in?

Answer 6

Biology / sociology / ecology

Question 7

Systems theory is a holistic approach against____

Answer 7

Reductionism

Question 8

Is systems theory a self-regulating system?

Answer 8

Yes. For example, when given feedback, a system will work to adjust performance.

Question 9

Person in environment is built on ___

Answer 9

Systems theory

Question 10

Critical theory focuses on?

Answer 10

Macro social structures and their relationship to oppression of individuals and groups. This theory pays attention to race, class and gender.

This theory focuses more on the consciousness raising and joining forces to critique structural power than on therapeutic processes

Question 11

What are the skills required for policy practice ? (3

Answer 11

1. Analytical skills to collect data, identify policy options and merits of these options & draft proposals
2. Political skills to gain and use power, study the feasibility, find resources and propose political strategies
   Interactional skills to generate contacts and build networks
3. Value clarification skills to identify and rank moral and ethical issues in proposed strategies

Question 12

Community work could involve: (4)

Answer 12

Geographical communities share interests (culture and language)
Helping communities to become more self-sufficient
Participating in social planning
Taking social action

Question 13

What are the ways that policy impacts the practice of service organizations?

Answer 13

• Policy determines major goals of service
• policy is shifting away from universe & accessible social welfare services to a more scaled back, fiscally reduced & privatized service delivery (in the last 20 years)
• Policy determines the characteristics of the clientele, policies grant services based on marital status, physical or mental abilities, age, immigration status ect.
• policy may specify & restrict service options
• Policy can determine the theoretical or ideological focus of service

Question 14

What approach was used prior to Person-in-Environment Theory?

Answer 14

Residual Theory