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.
What are the three progressive approaches/perspective
the structural perspective
the critical perspective
the anti-oppressive perspective
The structural Perspective
-considers all dimensions of personal problems, while being particularly attuned to less “visible” structural elements, such as
Social class
Race
Gender
Ability
The Critical Perspective
-covers a number of more specific structural theories including:
-Feminist social work: Focuses on providing women- centred support and deconstructing how social, economic, and political structures create and sustain gender inequality.
-Anti-racist social work. Focuses on how racial prejudice and racial discrimination –as structural characteristics– affect the lives of people of colour.
The Anti-Oppressive Perspectives
draws on many traditions:
-Social justice-oriented social work
-Everyday experiences are seen as shaped by multiple oppressions
-An emphasis on the causes of inequality and oppression
-Social workers focus on social causes and collaborate with allied movements.
-Self-refelxive practice and social analysis are critical components of social justice- oriented social work.
Critical Race theory/perspective
An organized way of thinking which explains the way Black people exist in White-normed societies.
Aim of Generalist Social Work Practice
-Facilitate the social well-being and social functioning of the person in his or her environment.
What do Generalist Social Workers Do?
-Rise above personal preferences to advance the social well-being of others through their practice
-Constantly monitor and evaluate personal and professional influences that affect how they work with clients to bring about change
-Integrate the relevant codes of conduct and adhere at all times to explicit standard-of-care tenets.
Components of Generalist social work
-first and foremost tailored to the needs of the client
-The generalist intervention model also takes into account how differences in the personal backgrounds of the worker and the client may affect treatment outcomes.
Generalist Person in Environment
The focus of generalist social work practice is on empowerment- the enhancement of personal power that enables individuals to take action to improve their situations.
It serves to:
-Enhance interactions between individuals and society
-Promote social justice
-Ensure equality of access and participation
