CHAPTER FOURTHEORY IN ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING

The Practice of Generalist Social Work (2nd ed.)

Key Ideas

Assessment and planning in practice is guided by theoretical conceptualizations.

Social workers use many classic and contemporary theories and perspectives to conceptualize their work with clients.

© 2011 Taylor & Francis

Common Classic Theories

Psychoanalytic Theory Based in the work of Sigmund Freud The unconscious is at the root of behavior Important concepts:

Id/pleasure principle, ego/reality principle, superego

Consciousness, preconsciousness, unconsciousness

Defense mechanisms Five stages of development from birth to

puberty and beyond: oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital

© 2011 Taylor & Francis

Common Classic Theories

Attachment Theory Based in the work of Bowlby and others Early bonding between infants and

caregivers impacts the quality of children’s attachments and future relationships

Styles of attachment (Ainsworth): Secure Insecure avoidant Insecure resistant Insecure disorganized

Attachment

Separation Distress

Safe Haven

Secure Base

Proximity Maintenance

© 2011 Taylor & Francis

Common Classic Theories

Cognitive Theory Based in the work of Beck, Ellis, and others Thoughts and cognitions shape behavior Important concepts:

Schema Cognitive processes and content Rationality and irrationality Antecedents, behavior, consequences Thinking errors (e.g., dichotomous thinking,

overgeneralization, minimization, personalization)

© 2011 Taylor & Francis

Common Contemporary Perspectives

Strengths Perspective People have the capacity for growth,

change, and adaptation Two key concepts in strengths-based

assessment: The social worker meets the client in the

struggle—the harbingers and hints of strength. The social worker stimulates the discourse and

narratives of resilience and strength.

© 2011 Taylor & Francis

Common Contemporary Perspectives Narrative Theory

Based in the work of White, Epston, and others Knowledge and reality are socially constructed Key concepts in narrative theory and therapy:

Discovering, re-authoring, and broadening personal stories

Re-examining and deconstructing truth Challenging problematic stories Challenging the hierarchy of power and knowledge Social workers and clients are co-travelers and

conversational partners

© 2011 Taylor & Francis

Common Contemporary Perspectives

Solution-Focused Approach Based in the work of deShazer and others Clients are the experts on their situations and

solutions to problems Important concepts:

Language is the mechanism for clients and social workers to understand the meanings of clients’ lives and actions.

Clients function as the “knowers” in the intervention process and are best suited to find solutions to problems.

Social workers help identify clients’ strengths and amplify them.

© 2011 Taylor & Francis