Main concepts of social work

You will then move on to look at social work with individuals. These core values are inherent to the effectiveness of social work activities and programs. Clear and accessible, key concepts in critical social theory makes difficult ideas available to an undergraduate audience. The authors place practice at the centre of the text, and include a host of case examples to bring the concepts to life. These concepts also emphasize the relationships among individuals, groups, organizations, or communities and mutually influencing factors in the environment. Cheat sheet for field instructors major theories used in social. Each tenet of theories and concepts defines these frameworks. Direct social services usually address the problems of individuals. This happens, first, because social workers work in the framework of institutions that have, themselves, codes and regulations, highly formalized, on the conduct and procedures, as necessary for the pursuit of its institutional objectives and these regulations, turn to be, eventually, even more important, in shaping the practices of social workers, than it is the ethical code of the profession. Marx was the first social theorist to really examine the conditions of work in factories that were popping up during the industrial revolution, looking at how the transition from independent.

If basic concepts of social work exist in the same way as basic concepts of medicine, biology, and physics, we may say that social work is a profession in the true sense of the word. One can trace the origins of social work back to premodern history, but the version of social work as a practice which we would broadly recognise developed in the mid19 th century, evolving to professional status in many western countries by the early decades of the 20 th. A social work theory attempts to explain why a problem exists, and a practice model attempts to provide a method for solving the problem. Central to the social exchange theory is the idea that an interaction that elicits approval from another person is more likely to be repeated than an interaction that elicits disapproval. These theories focus on human growth and development. Concept of social work social works are entities responsible for organizing the provision of medical care for the workers. Social group work is a method of social work which develops the ability of indi viduals thr ough g roup acti vities.

Katherine van wormer, university of northern iowa, department of social work. Culture is a set of rules, symbols and traditions that shape a specific group. Jan 14, 2020 while social exchange theory is found in economics and psychology, it was first developed by the sociologist george homans, who wrote about it in a 1958 essay titled social behavior as exchange. Social work has not been immune to various developments in theory and research methodology across the social sciences that have occurred in fields such as sociology, psychology, political science and anthropology. Concepts and methods of social work concepts of modern biology. Examining the essential topics of the social work curriculum, the concepts covered relate to practice, theory, policy and personal challenges. These values are transformed into accepted practice principles for the purpose of informing our intervention with clients. Social worker core functions nasw assurance services.

Trained as a generic social worker, her main practice has been largely in the area of child protection. Jan 20, 2016 clinically, i have used mindmeister to help me with visualizing clinical concepts, social work theory, and diagnostic criteria to further help my understanding of what can be very complicated concepts. Social work is a discipline committed to social justice and human rights, and to improving the wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and societies. Key concepts in social pedagogy thempra social pedagogy. Systems theories those concepts that emphasize reciprocal relationships between. Key concepts in critical social theory sage publications. Social work theory and methods key concepts and theory in. We can thus predict whether a particular interaction will be repeated by calculating the degree of reward approval or punishment disapproval resulting from the interaction. Do you know the difference between micro, mezzo and macro.

What are some assumptions for working as a social worker. Social workers should familiarize themselves with five different psychological theories that play a role in social work practice. Thus a worker who becomes ill or an accident or the family group that depends on can access medical care, drugs and health care practices without having to pay the entire cost of the same previously. Usc suzanne dworakpeck school of social work 35,002 views. Learn the core concepts social work with free interactive flashcards. Relational social work engages with existing networks to enhance their resilience and capacity to resolve difficulties. Do you know the difference between micro, mezzo and. Key concepts and theory in social work david hodgsonlynelle. The social work profession is guided by a distinct set of abstract values and a code of ethics. Show full abstract concepts such as intergenerational trauma and psychodynamic theories as a framework for gaining a deeper understanding of clients in. I have a folder that is for work projects, and i have made mindmaps to outline the main points of a group i want to facilitate. Social work practice is often divided into microwork, which involves working directly with individuals or small groups.

Social movement are highly significant for social work because they bring about desired change in the social structure, eradicate social evils and prevent abuse and exploitation which are the primary concerns of social work. It refers to a collective approach of reducing suffering and disadvantages and increasingly happiness and advantages of the community members with the active participation and involvement of individuals as well as government and non. Par ticipa tes in the identif ica tion of comm unity pr ob lems and r esour ces develops interest in group activities respects interpersonal relationships conceptsideas. Macro, mezzo and micro social work social work license map. During the first half of the 20thcentury, the behavioral school of psychology became a dominant force. Here we introduce you to those that course participants have found most interesting and useful. Global definition of social work international federation. A complex endeavor, inciting this shift of others perspectives can benefit from the framework of the various theories used in social work practice. A theory is a logical system of concepts that helps to explain why something happens in a particular way and to predict outcomes. Key concepts in critical social theory sage publications ltd. This book is a quick and accessible reference guide to the key concepts that social work students and professionals need to understand to be effective.

The 1980s, under the influence of reaganomics, helped launch a right wing backlash that was to come to fruition under later us administrations. The prime function of social work is to give assistance to individuals in regard. Choose from 500 different sets of the core concepts social work flashcards on quizlet. A theory may explain human behavior, for example, by describing how humans interact or how humans react to certain stimuli. According to this theory, rather than simply hearing a new concept and applying. Psychoanalytic theory and especially its progenies ego psychology and neofreudian theory have been influential in the theories of clinical social work practice and social casework, particularly in the diagnostic school in social work, and especially between 1940 and 1965. Further reading is included in each entry, so that the reader can explore what they have learned in more detail. To conceptualize the various elements that form part of social pedagogy, we have developed the social pedagogy tree. Existence of some sort of discontentment from the existing social structure. Social worker core functions shifting the risk to naswendorsed insurance plans.

Global definition of social work international federation of social. Key concepts in social work practice sage publications ltd. Posited by erik erikson in 1959, psychosocial theory draws on and is influenced by the earlier work of sigmund freud. Read, highlight, and take notes, across web, tablet, and phone.

The behaviorists proposed that all learning was a result of direct experience with the environment through the processes of association and reinforcement. Social work theory and methods key concepts and theory. This client can be an individual, a social unit, or a society. Crossreferenced throughout, the format encourages critical evaluation. The main concepts of sociology include society, culture, social organization, social structure and inequality. The social work guides the interaction of the individuals in developing programme sub concept. Theories and concepts of social work 1645 words bartleby.

Social work 2 values and attitudes after completing this chapter, the learner. Social work is a concept of the social science of doing well for each other personally as well as collectively. It is premised on the idea that an effective system is based on individual needs, rewards, expectations, and attributes of the people living in the system. Social pedagogy offers many practical and accessible models and concepts that describe how social pedagogy can be applied. If you have a heart for helping others, social work could be the perfect career for you. If you believe the mainstream media, which generally portrays social workers engaging in oneonone sessions with individuals or perhaps with families, you might perceive the position as one that functions on a relatively small. Work is closely intertwined with social structures, social processes, and especially social inequality. Apr 04, 2017 definitions of key terms for the five basic sociological perspectives functionalism, marxism, feminism, social action theory and postmodernism. Social work is a profession and academic discipline that improves the quality of life and wellbeing of individuals, groups, and communities by direct practice, policy development, organizing. Often, it makes sense to use the same indicators as researchers who have come before you. Here are some of the major theories that are generally accepted in the field of social work. In systems theory, a social worker must observe and analyze all of the systems that contribute to an individuals behavior and welfare, and work to strengthen those systems. It does this by addressing the identified problem, and by engaging, mobilising and developing both supportive and problemsolving networks.

The commentary serves to unpack the core concepts used in the definition and is detailed in relation to the social work professions core mandates, principles. Sociology seeks to learn about the structure, functioning and development of human society. Social work utilises numerous theories about people, problems and society, and these ideally inform how social workers practice. The commentary serves to unpack the core concepts used in the definition and is detailed in relation to the social work professions core mandates, principles, knowledge and practice. Social functioning is the way in which people perform their social roles, and the structural institutions that are provided to sustain them. Theories and concepts in social work hawra alakhdhair indiana universitypurdue university indianapolis my view of theory and concepts as humans develop, social scientists utilize theories and concepts to define and explain behaviors. Themes, issues and critical debates s social work and the law suzy braye and michael prestonshoot s6 introduction 56 context 57 critical themes 59. Social work is sometimes termed as helping people help themselves. For example, they establish the moral foundation of the social workers organization and they summarize the ethical principles used to set professional standards and guide social work practices. Larry ray, professor of sociology, university of kent the sage key concepts series provides students with accessible and authoritative knowledge of the essential topics in a variety of disciplines. Norms the normal, typical or expected patterns of behaviour associated with societies or specific contexts or social roles. Mar 15, 2014 the social work profession is guided by a distinct set of abstract values and a code of ethics. The sociology of work goes back to the classical sociological theorists.

A bachelors of social work degree provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to prepare for a professional career as a social worker. Characteristics and objectives of social group work suggested activity. Values major and lasting ideas and beliefs about what is desirable and. Looking at marxs main concepts the fact that marx was able to propose a theory that can still fit so well in todays modern world is remarkable.

Social workers seek to redistribute wealth in favour of those less welloff. Globalization, oppression, social exclusion, human rights, etc. Instead, it works across three scales micro, mezzo and macro to create change. What can make this somewhat difficult is that many terms used in the arena of social work have more complex meaning than they do in regular conversation.

Work with organizations or communities to improve or change laws or policies the casw definition of social work emphasizes four key concepts. There are many social work theories that guide social work practice. You believe that everyone has the right to achieve their. What follows is a listing of nine social work principles and brief description of each. Apr 20, 2018 from a sociological standpoint, applying the metrics that collectively build social exchange theory can be a great tool to analyze relationships and human behavior. Bachelor of social work bsw and bachelor of art in social work basw programs generally offer students a broad foundation for generalist social work practice. Social work involving work with groups and communities macro social work. Because poverty was the main focus of early social work, it was intricately linked with the idea of charity work. They are enacted by that group as thoughts, feelings and behaviors. This book is a quick and accessible reference guide to the key concepts that social work students and professionals need to understand to be. Whether or not we can speak of basic concepts of social work is a crucial problem for all who think that the professionalization. Systems theories those concepts that emphasize reciprocal relationships between the elements that constitute a whole. Finally this openlearn course considers reflective practice.

Social workers start where the client is, respecting without judgment the selfdetermination and dignity of the client. Systems theory describes human behavior in terms of complex systems. Social work theories are general explanations that are supported by evidence obtained through the scientific method. Later, sociologists peter blau and richard emerson further developed the theory. One of the main assumptions of working as a social worker is the idea that the inherent purpose of human existence is selfactualization.

Show full abstract concepts such as intergenerational trauma and psychodynamic theories as a framework for gaining a deeper understanding of clients in social work practice. This may take the form of providing positive role models, therapy or other services to help create a more supportive system for the individual. Social work is an academic discipline and profession that concerns itself with individuals. Commentary notes for the global definition of social work. Social work theories and models flashcards quizlet. Social workers play a crucial role in assisting families in crisis, individuals with mental illness, and communities plagued by poor health, unemployment, homelessness, substance abuse, child neglect, and other complex social issues. Karl marx, emile durkheim, and max weber all considered the analysis of modern work to be central to the field of sociology. Theories will point you in the direction of relevant concepts and possible indicators. The dynamics that go into making this theory work can be useful for sociologists to develop their own theories and concepts regarding the ways in which humans behave with each other. Request pdf on jan 1, 20, elizabeth whitehead and others published key concepts in social work practice. Social work applies social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, political science, public health, community development, law, and economics, to engage with client systems, conduct assessments, and develop interventions to solve social and personal problems.

An introduction to social work openlearn open university. Here are some of the major social work practice models used in various roles. Social work is an academic discipline and profession that concerns itself with individuals, families, groups and communities in an effort to enhance social functioning and overall wellbeing. This free course, an introduction to social work, begins by introducing key ideas, values, the social work process and the skills needed for social work practice. Theories, models and perspectives cheat sheet for field. Because human behavior is complex and the social work profession is broad, numerous theories are utilized for social work practice at the micromesomacro levels. Culture culture is a set of rules, symbols and traditions that shape a specific group.

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