Unit 1: Theoretical Concepts Flashcards
Ultimate Purpose of OT’s
To empower and enable someone to be able to perform their occupations to the best they are able, want to, and are expected
World Federation of OT definition of OT
Promoting well being through occupation
Humans are…
Occupational beings and have and inherent need to engage in occupation
Occupational engagement has the ability to either…
Bring organization or chaos into an individuals life
What is occupation?
Everything people fo to occupy themselves such as:
- Looking after themselves (self-care)
- Enjoying life (leisure)
- Contributing to social and economic elements of life (productivity)
Occupational Engagement
The doing of occupation, improving health and well being (has context, meaning, and purpose)
Task
A single unit of doing
Activity
A collection of tasks performed chronologically
Occupational Deprivation
Unable to engage in occupation for a prolonged period of time
Occupational Alienation
Unable to gain meaning or purpose from occupational engagements. It can mean that a person is actively disadvantaged from engaging in an occupation of their choosing.
Dark Occupations
Occupations that, when engaged with, do not enhance health or well-being
Occupational Science
The study of human participation in occupation
Occupational Justice
The right of every individual to have basic needs and choices in occupational engagement
Humanistic
This approach views the individual as a whole. It encompasses elements of free will, self-actualization, and self-efficacy.
In occupational therapy, the humanistic theory is…
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.
Behavioral
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.
In occupational therapy, behavioral theory 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.
Cognitive
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.
In occupational therapy, cognitive theory…
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.
Psychodynamic
This theory asserts that we have inner thoughts that we are not conscious of, and these act as forces that shape our personality.
In occupational therapy, psychodynamic theory 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.
Biological
This theory views humans as a product of physiological and genetic processes; also, that there is an objective cause and effect to their being.
In occupational therapy, this theory 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.
ACTIVITIES (ICF and Its Relevance to Contemporary Occupational Therapy Theory)
The ICF recognizes activities as the main determinants of disability.
PARTICIPATION (ICF and Its Relevance to Contemporary Occupational Therapy Theory)
The ICF includes “participation in life” and “role of context” as important definitions within health.
PERFORMANCE (ICF and Its Relevance to Contemporary Occupational Therapy Theory)
The ICF recognizes that there is a difference between a person’s performance in an activity and their potential performance in an activity.
