Week 3 Flashcards
What is a theory?
-A framework for understanding and action
-A social theory is a set of ideas that attempts to explain a phenomenon or make predictions
-From such ideas and explanations, certain practical interventions can follow
-Maslow’s theory of the “hierarchy of needs” is an example of a social theory.
Foundational Theories
-comprise general understandings about the underlying makeup and workings of our society.
-Foundational theories derive from foundational disciplines such as psychology, sociology, economics, political science, and the allied health professions.
-Examples include cognitive theory, critical theory, etc.
Practice models (theories)
-Are built on foundational theories, are specific to how social work is practised in real-world contexts.
-focus on factors that are important for practitioners in assessing a client’s situation and working with a client to determine the most effective intervention.
Examples include “client-centred model”, “task-centred model”, “mindfulness”, “narrative therapy”.
Social Work and Theory
-Have a close relationship between theory and practice
-Social work theories inform action (practice)
-Theoretical knowledge is developed and enhanced through practice.
-Also bring to the forefront voices and ways of knowing that have traditionally been minimized, ignored, or excluded.
Social Work Theories…
Theory feeds practice, and practice feeds theory.
Individual-level Theories
focus on individuals and their immediate interactions with others.
Structural-level theories
emphasize social structures, processes, and systems and how they shape peoples experiences, both positively and negatively
Theoretical Knowledge, Professional Judgement & Creativity
To be effective in their roles, practitioners need to learn about, understand, and apply a wide array of social work theories and practice models.
-Each client and each situation is unique
-There is no “one solution” that fits all situations.
-Social workers combine their theoretical knowledge with professional judgement and creativity.
-Theory and practice are different, but they have to be integrated.
Conventional approaches
ex, ecological, cognitive, and systems approaches to social work.
Progressive approaches
ex, structural, critical, and anti-oppressive approaches.
What are the three Conventional Approaches
The Ecological Perspective
The Cognitive Perspective
The Systems Perspective
The Ecological Perspective
-Views the individual as functioning within a series of interdependent relationships.
-Based on the concept of an “ecosystem” in nature
-Every organism is affected by and influences other organisms within the system.
-This perspective is a reaction to simplistic approaches that locate the cause of problems solely within the individual (psychology) or solely within the structures of the wider society (sociology)
The Cognitive Perspective
-Refers to a range of potentially effective intervention strategies. ex, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mindfulness.
-The roots of this perspective lie in the psychodynamic theories most often identified with Sigmund Freud.
-It focuses on the complexity of the human mind and early life experiences.
-Historically, this approach represented a move toward therapeutic interventions with clients, rather than simply telling them how to live “moral” lives.
The Systems Perspective
-Underlies the notion that systems comprise interrelated parts and that each part influences other parts of the whole.
A breakdown in one system will affect other systems and the persons involved in those systems.
Ecological Systems
Macrosystems- Form of Government, System of laws, Economic system, educational system
Exosystem- World of work, Neighbourhood/community, influence of media
Meosystem- Family, school, child, church.
