CHAPTER ONETHEORY IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

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

Key Ideas

Social work has a long history of adopting, adapting, formulating, and integrating various theoretical perspectives to guide its work.

Theories and perspectives help bring order and coherence to practice situations.

© 2011 Taylor & Francis

Definitions of Theory and Perspective

A theory is an explanation of some event or phenomenon.

A perspective is a view, or lens, through which to observe and interpret the world.

A perspective is generally less structured than a theory.

The terms theory and perspective are often viewed as synonymous and may also be called theoretical perspectives.

© 2011 Taylor & Francis

Common Social Work Practice Theories and Perspectives Ecosystems Perspective

Uses concepts from systems and ecology theory

Examines the exchanges between individuals, families, groups, and communities and their environments

Helps to describe the functioning and adaptation of human systems in a dynamic interchange with each other

© 2011 Taylor & Francis

Common Social Work Practice Theories and Perspectives Social Justice Perspective

Social justice refers to the manner in which society distributes resources among its members.

From this perspective, social workers champion individual, group and community rights; increase effective institutional responses; and influence major social policies.

The social justice perspective helps social workers identify needs and address areas of injustice that negatively impact people.

© 2011 Taylor & Francis

Common Social Work Practice Theories and Perspectives Human Rights Perspective

Provides a moral grounding for practice and reflects a commitment to the belief that all people should have basic rights and access to resources

Acknowledges that the concept of human rights is couched in differing contexts, cultures, and meanings of human existence and interdependence

© 2011 Taylor & Francis

Common Social Work Practice Theories and Perspectives Strengths Perspective

Emphasizes strengths in people and their environments

Focuses on people’s dignity and resilience

Six principles form the foundation of the strengths perspective and help to guide practice Everyone has strengths Adversity can bring opportunity Clients’ ability to grow can’t be underestimated Social workers need to collaborate with their clients Every environment has resources Community is important © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Common Social Work Practice Theories and Perspectives Postmodernism and Social Constructionism

Questions the way in which knowledge is attained and valued

Suggests that people construct reality based on experiences in the social world and the social world’s varying contexts

Focuses on deconstructing or exploring long-held values, beliefs and perceptions

Critical social construction uses these ideas to explain how groups use dominant beliefs at the expense of other groups

© 2011 Taylor & Francis