Unit 1: Foundational Theoretical Approaches

Question 1

Humanistic

Answer 1

This approach views the individual as a whole. It encompasses elements of free will, self-actualization, and self-efficacy.

Question 2

Humanistic Theory In Occupational Therapy

Answer 2

Part of our development of client centeredness; it’s where we consider that power is within the relationship between the occupational therapist and client. Humanistic theory also contributes to the theories that guide the collaborative relationship between the occupational therapist and the client.

Question 3

Behavioral

Answer 3

This theory takes the view that our reactions to external stimuli have an impact on our actions. It has developed from classical conditioning to more modified behavioral principles that explain self-regulation.

Question 4

Behavioral Theory In Occupational Therapy

Answer 4

Explains the importance of engagement in occupation in terms of “we are what we do and what we experience when we are doing.” It also relates to how clients are impacted by their environment as well as what they are doing. This theory has also made important contributions to helping clients modify their behavior for their well-being.

Question 5

Cognitive

Answer 5

This theory focuses on the complexity of the human mind in terms of its methods of processing thoughts and impact of thoughts on a person’s actions.

Question 6

Cognitive Theory In Occupational Therapy

Answer 6

Underpins our focus on the client’s cognitive abilities and limitations—not just their physical abilities and limitations. This theory also recognizes the importance of intertwining both the cognitive and the physical in occupational engagement. The importance of client motivation and volition can be traced to the cognitive approach, as can many of our interventions to help clients process thoughts more efficiently to enable mastery of occupational engagement.

Question 7

Psychodynamic

Answer 7

This theory asserts that we have inner thoughts that we are not conscious of, and these act as forces that shape our personality.

Question 8

Psychodynamic Theory In Occupational Therapy

Answer 8

Contributes to our view of the human being as a complex system that processes the experience of occupational engagement internally and then delivers an output. The internal process can be conscious or subconscious. Occupational theory accounts for the impact of occupational engagement on such internalization. It helps clients use occupational engagement to project internalized thoughts to reach acceptance and enhance their well-being.

Question 9

Biological

Answer 9

This theory views humans as a product of physiological and genetic processes; also, that there is an objective cause and effect to their being.

Question 10

Biological Theory In Occupational Therapy

Answer 10

Informs our understanding of how the presentation of symptoms arise and, in turn, how the symptoms affect the client’s occupational engagement. Occupational therapy theory considers how the symptoms present to enable occupational mastery or occupational dysfunction. The theory also guides us in how to alleviate the symptoms to achieve mastery.

Question 11

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) provides…

Answer 11

A standard international language for the description of health. This language specifies what a person with a health condition could do (their level of capacity) and what they actually do (their level of performance).

Question 12

The ICF was created by the World Health Organization to…

Answer 12

measure health and disability at both individual and population levels. In ICF, the term “functioning” refers to all body functions, activities, and participation, while “disability” is similarly an umbrella term for impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions.

Question 13

ACTIVITIES (ICF and Its Relevance to Contemporary Occupational Therapy Theory)

Answer 13

The ICF recognizes activities as the main determinants of disability.

Question 14

PARTICIPATION (ICF and Its Relevance to Contemporary Occupational Therapy Theory)

Answer 14

The ICF includes “participation in life” and “role of context” as important definitions within health.

Question 15

PERFORMANCE (ICF and Its Relevance to Contemporary Occupational Therapy Theory)

Answer 15

The ICF recognizes that there is a difference between a person’s performance in an activity and their potential performance in an activity.