Mid-Term Exam

Question 1

Bio-psycho-social

Answer 1

◦ This approach views individuals and their environment as a system that operates simultaneously and that affects and is affected by each other.
◦ The biopsychosocial model is an interdisciplinary model that looks at the interconnection between biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors.

Question 2

What are theories?

Answer 2

Theories are the framework for our practice to help explain and explain human behavior. (See “The Nature of Theories” key concept handout, in the Files folder)

Question 3

What are systems?

Answer 3

Systems: Set of interrelated and interdependent objects.
• Systems tend to develop toward greater complexity & comprehensiveness. They are interrelated & interdependent. They are adaptive, must be viewed holistically.
• Adaptive and strive for self-preservation

Question 4

What is a social system?

Answer 4

Social Systems: a system that is composed of persons or groups who interact and influence each other’s behaviors.

Question 5

What is Dynamic Systems Theory?

Answer 5

Dynamic Systems Theory: Human systems are characterized by development, creativity, and transformation. Humans also have the capacity for symbolic activity.

Question 6

What is Structural Functionalism?

Answer 6

Structural Functionalism: an elaboration of functionalism that examines both the structure and the function of the social system.

Question 7

What is a holon? What theory does it belong in?

Answer 7

Holon: Each system, a whole and part of a larger system

Systems Theory

Question 8

What is the focal system? What theory?

Answer 8

Focal System: system you are focusing on

Systems Theory

Question 9

What is a subsystem? What theory?

Answer 9

Subsystem: a system that is part of the focal system and smaller than and internal to the focal
Systems Theory

Question 10

What is a Suprasystem? What theory?

Answer 10

Suprasystem: a system that is external to the focal system and often referred to as environment.
Systems Theory

Question 11

What is equifinality? What theory?

Answer 11

Equifinality: the idea that systems can achieve similar end states, or outcomes by using different paths or starting from different points
Systems Theory

Question 12

What are boundaries in systems theory?

Answer 12

Boundaries: A system distinguishes itself from its environment by its boundaries

Question 13

What is permeability? What theory?

Answer 13

Permeability – important for living systems, allows for movement within systems
Systems theory

Question 14

What is balance/homeostasis? What theory?

Answer 14

Balance/Homeostasis – allow for openness to secure resources & promote growth but need boundaries to ensure integrity of the system
Systems theory

Question 15

What is homokinesis? What theory?

Answer 15

Homokinesis – allows for continuity with change

Systems theory

Question 16

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory - definition

Answer 16

Ecosystems Theory: early formulation that proposed an evolutionary adaptive view of people and focused on transactions between people and the environment.

Question 17

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory - parts

Answer 17

Chronosystem - Changes over time
Macrosystem - Social and Cultural Values
Exosystem - Indirect Environment
Mesosystem - Connections
Microsystem - Immediate environment
Self

Question 18

Germain & Gitterman’s Life Model/Ecosystems Theory - definition

Answer 18

Germain & Gitterman’s Life Model/Ecosystems Theory

Evolutionary and adaptive view that focus on the transactions between client and their environment.

Question 19

Goodness of Fit - Difinition

2 main focuses?

Answer 19

Goodness of Fit: Adaptive balance between organism and environment Another way of viewing a person in the environment.
• Stress occurs if poor “goodness of fit”
• Focused on Life transitions

Question 20

3 main points of Conflict Theory

Answer 20

Conflict Theory: Conflict is the norm
Change is the natural state
Conflict generates change

Question 21

What is Marxism/ Classical Conflict Theory?

Answer 21

Marxism/ Classical Conflict Theory: Focuses on economics and conflict between classes.

Question 22

Classes in Marxism?

Answer 22

Two classes: Bourgeoise: holders of wealth and power

Proletariat: the working class

Question 23

Tenet of Marxism?

Answer 23

Exploitation will lead to revolution.

Question 24

Marxism & C. Wright Mills
Difference?
Beliefes?

Answer 24

Extended conflict theory took conflict theory beyond economics.
He argued that a small elite class control industrial, political, and military power.
	He believed that people act in their own self-interest.
	The power elite have a shared set of interests.
	The power elite coordinate their actions in the context of their everyday working and social lives: in board rooms and country clubs.

Question 25

Social Inequalities: Marxism & C. Wright Mills

Answer 25

Social Inequalities:Created and maintained in these interrelated institutions
•	Government and political institution
•	Economic institution
•	Educational institution
•	Health care institution
•	Social welfare institution
•	Religious institution
•	Mass media institution

Question 26

Critical Race Theory - key theorist?

Answer 26

Derrick Bell – key theorist

Question 27

Central propositions of Critical Race Theory?

Answer 27

o There is endemic racism.
o It is ordinary, not aberrational (micro-aggressions confirm this).
o Race is a social construct.
o Differential racialization – racial groups ‘differentialized’ in response to different needs of the majority group.
o Interest convergence – materialist determinism.
o change in racism and racial-oriented laws/policy happens only when the white elite interests are served.
o Voices of color - People of color live their lives within the context of a racialized society & can best articulate the experiences of racism (but being a person of color does not guarantee a racially sensitive voice).
o Anti-essentialism/ intersectionality.

Question 28

Intersectionality - Definition & What Theory

Answer 28

Part of Critical Race Theory: Intersectionality asserts that all persons are the intersection of a whole host of identities.
o Every unique combination of identities yields a unique experience of discrimination and/or power.

Question 29

Implicit Bias definition and part of what theory?

Answer 29

Part of Critical Race Theory - unconscious attribution of particular qualities to a member of a certain social group

Question 30

Integration - what theories and definition?

Answer 30

Integration – Systems theory and Ecological Perspective

“A delicate balance”

Question 31

Systems Theory definition and 5 types?

Answer 31

Def: all human systems (from micro to macro) are intricately connected to one another & to the natural– holistic view
• Structural Functionalism
• Ecological Perspective 
• Dynamic Systems Theory 
• Deep ecology
• Ecofeminism environment

Question 32

Diversity Spotlight

Answer 32

Risk and Resilience – Race, Class,

Culture

Question 33

What do Systems Based Theories help develop?

Answer 33

Help us develop a relational/holistic view of people and

organizations

Question 34

What do Systems Based Theories help us understand?

Answer 34

Help us understand the interactions among individuals,
groups, organizations, communities, the larger social
system, and their environments

Question 35

What do Systems Based Theories enhance?

Answer 35

Enhance our understanding of the contextual nature of

human behavior

Question 36

What do Systems Based Theories help forumlate?

Answer 36

Helpful as we formulate assessments at all levels of

practice (macro-meso-micro)

Question 37

Key Concepts of various Systemic Perspectives

Answer 37

Social systems attempt to protect their survival through adaptation & self-preservation

Social systems are interrelated and interdependent

People and their environments are continually adapting to one another – must be viewed holistically

Systems theories’ areas of focus vary: the individual, the interpersonal, the societal, the earth ecological

Question 38

Structural Functionalism

Answer 38

• Sought to understand how societies organize/structure
themselves to perform specific functions
• Analyzed the actions of individuals in relation to social institutions
(Max Weber)
• Argued that social functions are universal but the structures that
are developed to perform these functions vary significantly
(Malinowski)
• Posited that living systems, especially human systems, are
characterized by:
• Development, creativity, and transformation (Bertalanffy. 1968;1981)

Question 39

Ecological Perspective 1

Answer 39

• Brought the environment into the concept of “person in environment”
• Ecosystem = Botanist A.G. Tansley’s term for the “reciprocal relationship between organisms and their environments” (Chatterjee etal p. 32)
• Ecological perspective - Generated by social workers for use in our practice (Carel Germain’s seminal work)
• Germain & Gitterman’s ecosystem’s theory focused on transactions between people & their environments

Question 40

Ecological Perspective 2

Answer 40

• Germain acknowledged that “goodness of fit” between people and their environments does not always occur
• Stress then occurs and can be damaging to both
• It focuses on life transitions such as
• Developmental stages
• External stressors (unresponsive social/physical environments)
• Interpersonal stressors (relationship & communication problems)
• Her perspective was challenged due to the argument that oppression cannot be viewed as a transaction between people and their environments

Question 41

Ecological Perspective 3

Answer 41

Germain further refined her perspective (1995 & 2008) to
address concepts of • Coercive power & • Exploitative power
withholding & oppressing vulnerable groups & damaging our environment (pollution)

Developed a useful clinical practice tool (the ecomap) to
help social workers map out a clt/family’s ecosystemic map
relative to relationships within family system and with
external environment

Question 42

Dynamic Systems Theory

Answer 42

• Encompasses general systems theory & attends to a key feature
of human systems – creative system transformation

Applied to a family, it argues that:
• Each member is a subject who influences and is influenced by the other
family members & by the family as a whole
• The family consists of subsystems (ie parent subsystem/sibling subsystem)
• The family transacts with external suprasystems

Question 43

Dynamic Systems Theory

Answer 43

Every system as a holon
• a whole (with its own distinctive features)
• a part of larger systems, and
• a container of smaller systems

Question 44

Dynamic Systems Theory principles

Answer 44

Systems tend to develop toward greater complexity & comprehensiveness.
• They are interrelated & interdependent
• Holarchy = ordered relationship between these complex & interrelated systems [concept of concentric circles to illustrate the interface]

Question 45

Interrelatedness of Systems - what Theory and key concepts?

Answer 45

Dynamic Systems Theory
Interrelatedness of Systems can be understood via the concepts of
• The subsystem
• The focal system
• The suprasystem
These systems can be applied to Individuals (Jill as the focal system & internal characteristics as her subsystems) or The family understood in its relationship to the individuals or the suprasystems (external to the focal system) with which
the family and its members interact

Question 46

Boundaries - What theory and why?

Answer 46

Dynamic Systems Theory
A system distinguishes itself from its environment by its boundaries
• Usually more intense interactions and greater interdependency occurs within the boundary (ie within a family) than between the system and its environment (as between family & neighbors)

Question 47

Permeability - What Theory?

Answer 47

Dynamic Systems Theory
Permeability – important for living systems (energy and
resources)

Question 48

Balance

Answer 48

Dynamic Systems Theory
A matter of balance – allow for openness to secure
resources & promote growth but need boundaries to
ensure integrity of the social system

Question 49

Homokinesis

Answer 49

Dynamic Systems Theory

Homokinesis – allows for continuity with change

Question 50

Value of nonlinear thinking

Answer 50

• Allows us to shift away from cause – effect dichotomy
• Embrace the yin/yang (symbol of holism & unity)
• If we focus on one system, we risk losing sight of others

Question 51

• Reality consists of interrelated and interconnected systems

Answer 51

Dynamic Systems Theory

Question 52

Any change that is pursued should seek the mutual benefit of

all systems

Answer 52

Dynamic Systems Theory

Question 53

What isn’t addressed in Systems Theories?

Answer 53

Systems theories acknowledge the impact of larger social structures on indiv/group functioning, but they don’t effectively address cultural, economic, structural conditions that produce inequality. These are largely ignored/minimized by structural functionalism.

What do we do when the larger social order views nature and people as resources to be exploited (post industrial forms of capitalism & socialism)?

What do we do in a social context that tends to be more punitive and harsh with its male Black children? (Boyd Franklin & Karger, 2012)

Question 54

Risk/Resilience

Answer 54

Need to acknowledge class and race together with oppressive poverty when you work with inner city families (Boyd Franklin & Karger, 2012)

• Need to address systemic variables that create the “invisibility syndrome” (Boyd Franklin & Karger, 2012, pg 276) which marginalizes/pathologizes Black males
• Need to consider class and race as suprasystem elements that affect the lives of individuals in families/communities
• Need to view ACE’s (Larkin etal, 2015) through a broader systemic lens
• Need to consider that structural functionalism “fails to treat power as a central feature of social life (Robbins etal, p 46)

Question 55

Deep Ecology 1

Answer 55

“Cease Fire cause the Seas are on Fire”
• Focus not only on the interdependence of social systems
• Focus on the interdependence between human beings
and total planetary ecology

Question 56

Deep Ecology 2

Answer 56

NASW Code of Ethics – Social Justice - Social workers challenge
social injustice
• Deep ecology challenges this tenet and asks that it expand to take into
consideration the interconnectedness between
• Personal well being
• Social justice
• Ecojustice

Question 57

Ecological Perspective – Roberta Greene

Answer 57

Ecology – niche & habitat
• Evolutionary biology, ethology – life cycle
• Anthropology – use of ethnography, social network
• Ego psychology – competence & self-efficacy
• Stress theory – srress & coping
• Role theory – symbolic interaction & role performance
• Humanistic psychology – striving and growth

Question 58

6 types of Feminism

Answer 58

Liberal feminism
Radical Feminisim
Socialist Feminism
Cultural Feminism
Postmodern feminism
Lesbian feminism

Question 59

three major schools of feminism

Answer 59

liberal, radical, and socialist
Critics of the three major schools of feminism– liberal, radical, and socialist– believe that they do not adequately recognize or incorporate the multiple oppressions of minority women. They argue that feminism is considered a mainstream, white woman’s movement. It is irrelevant to minority women’s reality. Two additional feminist frameworks address this criticism.

Question 60

Gender Vs Sex

Answer 60

Gender: culturally determined cognitions, attitudes, and belief systems about females and males
Sex: the descriptive, biologically-based variable that is used to distinguish females and males

Question 61

Feminist social workers’ concerns and dissatisfaction with traditional treatment includes the following.

Answer 61

1) Traditional theories of female and male development and behavior often depict male-typed traits as the norms and female-typed traits as deficient in comparison.
2) The omission of women from the knowledge base of psychology.
3) A consideration of sex stereotyping and sex bias in the diagnosis of psychopathology.
4) The determination that women’s intrapsychic problems frequently originate from sources external to themselves.
5) The concern about the disregard of social workers relating to the validity of women’s self-reported experiences.
6) Challenging the practice of attributing blame and responsibility to women for their experiences of sexual and physical violence.
7) Rejection of mother-blaming theories such as Freud’s, which put all the blame on the mother’s or woman’s actions.
8) The increasing radicalization of women’s psychological problems, including issues of diagnosis and psychotropic drugs.
9) A recognition that many of the reported psychological sex differences in behavior, personality, and pathology reflect inequalities in social status and interpersonal power between men and women.

Question 62

Liberal feminism

Answer 62

Points to the disparity in social conditions, not innate differences between men and women, as the basis for women’s oppression. Men and women are essentially the same, because they both possess the capacity to reason. Therefore, equal opportunities and treatment should be the norm for all. Political action, changing social conventions, and the ways in which children are socialized are key to achieving this equality. Critiques of liberal feminism are that it downplays gender differences. Equal opportunities do not mean equal outcomes, and it is too heavily focused on the public sphere inequality– for instance, employment, education, and property rights.

Question 63

Radical Feminism

Answer 63

male supremacy is the oldest form of oppression. Therefore, male dominance is its primary focus. Women’s personal problems are grounded in sexist power imbalances. Their consciousness of this needs to be raised in order for their psyches to be healed and their female identities consolidated. Radical feminists agree that social action transforms the self as well as society. However, they advocate that only revolutionary change, such as socialized child and family care and the end of marriage, not legal reform of the existing social system needs to occur. Women’s differences are emphasized, and separate women-centered organizations and services are promoted. Radicals believe that existing male-dominated service systems only perpetuate sexist attitudes and practices that oppress women.

Question 64

cultural feminism

Answer 64

An offshoot of radical feminism is cultural feminism. Gilligan argued that women are profoundly different from men, and these differences should be recognized and celebrated. Cultural feminists are concerned with relationships and the nurturing and empathetic traits of women. The relational theory of the psychosocial and moral development of women is emphasized. This is distinct from identity development and based on separation, individuation, and logical, legalistic, moral reasoning according to Erikson, Mahler, and Kohlberg. The cultural imbeddedness of sexist thinking needs to be changed through ways we support, socialize, and direct children. A distinct female culture should be fostered. For example, through literature, art and music. Critiques of radical feminism include that its focus on male domination can lead to the downplaying of other forms of oppression. Also, it is difficult to gain political support for such a separatist agenda.

Question 65

Socialist feminism

Answer 65

Socialist feminism views on women’s oppression as part of structured, class-based inequality. It recognizes different forms of economic oppression, which contribute to the diversity of women’s issues and concerns for matters such as race or disability. Because women are responsible for literally reproducing the workforce, socialist feminist activities center on childcare and the home. Of note, neither of these is included in the mainstream capitalist system of wage work and earnings. Focus is on the social and economic aspects of patriarchy rather than its psychological effects.

Patriarchy and capitalism are seen as entwined. The male breadwinner mentality is responsible for sex differences in pay. Social feminists advocate for social policies to ensure equal pay and that single women can earn a family wage. They strive toward public support of families as well as public responsibility for child care and domestic work. Critiques of socialist feminism argue that its emphasis on an economic basis of women’s oppression ignores other manifestations of patriarchy, such as violence against women and sexual rights.

Question 66

Postmodern feminism

Answer 66

Postmodern feminism focuses on how social discourse and language create social assumptions about who women are and how they should be treated. For example, how man is used to represent human, how he is utilized as a general pronoun, and the use of everyday terms such as manpower. It emphasizes deconstruction, a critical questioning and examination of language and meaning.

In addition, postmodern feminism is concerned with the relativity of social understanding. There are many ways of knowing and understanding. None are more valuable than any other. Therefore, woman is not a universal construct, and no one can speak for all women. Critiques of postmodern feminism argue that it shifts feminists’ focus from oppressive power relations to social discourse. This may undermine solidarity and collective social action for political change.

Question 67

Lesbian Feminism

Answer 67

Lesbian feminism analyzes the intersection of gender and social orientation. It opposes the imposition of any form of sexual orientation and criticizes institutionalized heterosexism. Lesbian feminism asserts that heterosexism and patriarchy are equally oppressive, and they work together to maintain male supremacy and the oppression of women. Women should identify themselves independently of men, and look to other women to help them understand what it means to be a woman. Lesbian feminism has been considered to be a threat to the ideological, political, personal, and economic basis of male superiority. “Lesbians literally do not need men,” from page 363 of the green text.

Question 68

Black feminism or womanism

Answer 68

Black feminism or womanism focuses attention on the interlocking oppressions of gender and race. It argues that there is a unique experience that mainstream feminist approaches do not adequately address. In addition, it asserts that feminism must be culturally embedded to be effective. Multiple identities comprise the total self, and all of them, not just gender, should be recognized. So both social and personal change are important.
Psychotherapeutic decolonization, as theorized by Comas-Diaz recognizes the systemic presence of both external and internal colonialism and oppression. It corrects cognitive errors that contribute to thinking in dichotomies, such as the superior/inferior and good/bad. It also reaffirms and asserts racial and gender identities to develop a more integrated self, increase self-mastery and dignity, and transform the colonized condition.

Question 69

Unifying themes of feminism

Answer 69

The elimination of false dichotomies, which asserts that people should critically evaluate the way thought and behavioral expectation are structured within the culture.
Western culture emphasizes the separation of people into mutually exclusive categories.
Rethinking knowledge is the principle that states that we should not only evaluate how we think about something, but what we think about.
Differences in lifespan experiences is the recognition that there are differences between the lives and experiences of men and women, especially pertaining to how gender role socialization occurs.
The end of patriarchy.
Valuing process equally with product.
The personal is political.
Unity and diversity point to sisterhood and solidarity.

Question 70

Empowerment definition

Answer 70

Empowerment is defined as a process of increasing personal, interpersonal, or political power so that individuals can take action to improve their life situations.

Question 71

Criticisms of feminist approaches

Answer 71

The focus on women’s issues threatens to marginalize this approach as solely concerned with a special interest, rather than a movement with broader social implications. The lack of focus on the diversity of women’s experiences and the push for a collective female identity isolates many women. The dearth of specific practice techniques and independent research into the effectiveness of feminist treatment approaches. It is questionable whether truly egalitarian relationships can be achieved in practice and whether collective decision-making can bring the desired result women seek.