SOCIAL WORK THEORY AND PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORY

Question 1

A theory helps to

Answer 1

describe (what is happening) (e.g., systems theory).
explain (why is it happening) (e.g., human development, both describes and explains).
predict (what is likely to happen next) (e.g., outcomes of an intervention).
Theories can help us understand situations (e.g., Step 2 in GIM, Assessment) and bring about changes (e.g., Steps 3 & 4 in GIM, Planning and Implementation).

Question 2

Formal theory:

Answer 2

academically developed.

Question 3

Informal theory

Answer 3

relates to personal values and ideas about situations; includes embedded theories (explain why each of us behave in a particular manner), practice wisdom, and common knowledge (developed through practice and life experience).

Question 4

Four theory distinctions

Answer 4

Theories of how to do social work
Personal theories of the social worker
Personal theories of the client
Theories of what social work does

Question 5

Types of Theory
Formal
Academic
Theories of what social work does
Theories of how to do social work

Informal Embedded
Practice wisdom
Common knowledge
Personal theories of the social worker
Personal theories of the client

Question 6

Why we need to apply theory to practice

Answer 6

1. Theories help us to make sense of a situation and generate ideas about what is going on and why things are as they are. [so useful in assessment]
2. Theories help us to justify actions and explain practice to clients, caregivers, managers, and society in general. The aim is to make social work more widely accountable and ultimately more respected. [so useful in discussing interventions]
3. Use theories to relate to specific situations. This will help you to develop a clear direction. [so useful in selecting specific practice theories]
4. Theories explain why an action results in a particular consequence. This helps us review and possibly change our practice in an attempt to make the outcomes more effective.

Question 7

practice model developed from writings of _______ in early part of 20th century.

Answer 7

Mary Richmond

Question 8

central components:

Answer 8

engagement, importance of worker-client relationship, exploration and assessment, personality dynamics, worker-client transferences, systems theory, service provision (so again, a bit inseparable from social work practice in general).

Question 9

Principles of psychosocial treatment:

Answer 9

1. Psychosocial understanding is ecosystemic
   “people’s behaviors develop within the context of many open systems interacting in mutually causative ways” (p. 389).
   human adaptation based on establishing good fit between person and situation (e.g., with family system, larger macro-level systems).
2. Relationship is essential to treatment and a significant source of change in itself
   successful psychosocial casework dependent on quality of relationship between client and worker (worker’s empathy, authenticity).
   interactions can serve as a reparative or corrective emotional experience for the client.
3. Client reflections are central to psychosocial study, assessment, and intervention
   “Because we view clients as the experts on their own lives, we use reflective procedures that facilitate the expression of our clients’ thoughts and feelings.
   can result in client acquiring greater insight.
4. Psychosocial treatment is based on study and assessment of the person-situation Gestalt

Question 10

The process

Answer 10

Psychosocial Study  Psychosocial Assessment and Intervention

Question 11

Psychosocial study is

Answer 11

The search for relevant facts

Question 12

Psychosocial study

Answer 12

worker elicits from client their perception of the problem (what led to it, what is contributing to problem, what have they tried to resolve it, who is involved with issue, what do they think might help now…).
psychosocial study and diagnostic assessment may proceed at same time, but the study is separate from the assessment.

Question 13

sources of information in psychosocial theory

Answer 13

client’s own statements and reflections, observations (e.g., of nonverbals), worker-client interaction, conjoint interviews (spouse, other family members), collateral interviews (with parents, teacher, referral agency).

Question 14

Psychosocial assessment and intervention:

Answer 14

assessment “begins by thinking critically about the facts gathered in the psychosocial study” (p. 392).
want to figure out “(1) how and why a problem exists and (2) who and what within the person-situation Gestalt is accessible to change” (p. 392).
want to assess individual personality functioning as well as situational factors.
also want to assess strengths and resources.

Question 15

The nature of psychosocial interventions

Answer 15

“psychosocial treatment often uses a blend of individual, couple, family, and environmental modalities” (p. 394).
may involve treatment teams and locating and advocating for resources.

Question 16

The psychosocial typology of worker-client communication:

Answer 16

1. Sustainment
   “verbal and nonverbal communications that demonstrate interest, acceptance, empathic understanding, reassurance, and encouragement” (p. 395); encourages client to share their concerns.
2. Direct influence
   “carefully considered suggestion or advice” (p. 395).
3. Exploration, description, and ventilation
   communication to “elicit knowledge of the facts of the client’s situation and that bring out feelings about it” (p. 395).
4. Reflection of person-situation configuration
   to help “clients become more aware of perceptions, thoughts, and feelings concerning their current circumstances and interactions with others” (p. 395).
5. Pattern dynamic reflection
   to help clients “identify behavioral tendencies of clients, or patterns of thinking and feeling that lead them to particular actions or ways of thinking about events” (p. 395).
6. Development reflection
   to help clients “consider family-of-origin or early life experiences that contribute to current personality and functioning” (p. 395)

Question 17

Recent advances in psychosocial theory

Answer 17

post-Freudian relational theories (e.g., attachment theory).
moving beyond the “bio-psycho-social” assessment to include other dimensions such as spirituality, culture, neuroscience, and trauma.