Week 02 Social Work Perspectives, Frameworks, & Theories

A presentation at Heritage University @ CBC Week 02 in August 2020 in Pasco, WA 99301, USA by Jacob Campbell

SOWK 486 Fall 2020 Planning: Class 02 — SOWK 486 Fall 2020 Planning: Class 02
Location: Online - Zoom
Time: Monday’s from 5:30-8:15
Week 02: 08/31/20
Topic and Content Area: Social Work Perspectives, Frameworks, & Theories
Reading Assignment: Green and McDermott (2010) and De Jonge and Miller (1995)
Assignments Due:
A–02: Asynchronous Class Engagement Diving into Theories discussion forum with an initial post due Friday 09/04/20 at 11:55 PM and two replies due Sunday 09/06/20 at 11:55 PM via My Heritage Class Forums
Other Important Information: N/A

Agenda — Agenda
Perspectives, theories, and frameworks
Systems theory
Ecological perspective
Strengths perspective
Solution focused brief therapy

Perspectives and Theories — Perspectives and Theories
The concepts of perspectives verses theories can easily be confused.
[Discussion] What is the difference between a perspective and a theory
Theory: A general statement about the real world whose essential truth can be supported by evidence obtained through the scientific method.
Must explain in a provable way why something happens.
Ex: Learning theory explains behavior on the basis of what organisms have learned from the environment.
Perspective: A way of perceiving the world flows from a value position. * The perspective will influence choice of theory and model.
Framework / Model: Is a blueprint for action. It describes what happens in practice in a general way.
Examples of theories and perspectives
Theories: System theory, psychodynamic theory, social learning theory, conflict theory, Erikson’s theory of stages of development, Piaget’s theory of cognition… etc
Perspectives: Strengths perspective, ecological perspective, feminist perspective… etc.
Frameworks / Models: Solution–focused, cognitive-behavioral, task-centered, narrative, etc.

Perspectives, Theories, and Frameworks / Models — Perspectives, Theories, and Frameworks / Models
Definitions previously discussed

Systems Theory — Systems Theory
[Activity] Have volunteers hold hands in front, run back and forth to demonstrate the effects of the system.
[Discussion] Discuss a child’s hanging mobile and it’s relationship to systems theory.
Definitions
Input: the information or communication flow received from other systems
Output: the same flow from a system to the environment or to other systems
Homeostasis: constant state of equilibrium or balance [constantly seeking]
Equifinality: the fact that there are many ways of viewing a problem which ultimately will give you different solutions or means to solve it
General Information
Focus on interactions with various systems
Gives focus on target for intervention
System is constantly in flux and requirement of social worker to remain flexible and creative

Systems Theory -- Levels of Interaction — Systems Theory -- Levels of Interaction
[Discussion] how can work for micro?
[Discussion] how can work for mezzo?
[Discussion] how can work for macro?

Ecological Perspective — Ecological Perspective
Ecological perspective, while similar in some aspects to systems theory is distinct.
[Discussion] What is the difference between systems theory and ecological perspective
Differences
More focus on interactions of the system with the person, and easing those interactions
Focuses on working with individuals in there social environments
The social environment involved the conditions, circumstance , and human interactions that encompass human beings.
People depend on their environments to strive and thrive.
Flow of slides…
Person
Environment
Transactions
Interface
Energy
Adaptation
Coping
Interdependence
Definitions
Person-in-environment: A focuses on people constantly interacting with various systems around them. So the social workers focused improving the interactions between the person and systems.
Interface: the exact point at which the interaction between an individual and the environment
Transactions: people communicate and interact with those in their environments [can be positive or negative]
Energy: the natural power of active involvement among people and their environments takes place [input or output]
Adaptation: the capacity to adjust to surrounding environmental conditions. This implies change because a person must adapt to change in order to continue functioning in their environment. Social workers help individuals during this process to direct their energies so that they are able to adapt
Coping: a form of human adaptation and implies a struggle to overcome problems. Refers to the way we deal with the problems we experience.
Interdependence: the reliance on one person to another. People depend on each others input, energy, services, and consistency
[Discussion] What are some examples of using systems theory vs ecological perspective?

Ecological Perspective -- Levels of Interaction — Ecological Perspective -- Levels of Interaction
In ecological perspective, we can view the levels of interaction a little bit different.
Micro level
Biological characteristics
Psychological characteristics
Mezzo level
Personal context
Macro level
Social context
[Discussion] how can work for micro?
[Discussion] how can work for mezzo?
[Discussion] how can work for macro?

Implementing Strengths Perspective — Implementing Strengths Perspective
There are a number of general tasks that we have to preform if we are implementing strengths perspective
Don’t take no for an answer
Help correct the effects of being labeled
Take advantage of the considerable resources of culture and ethnicity
Normalize
Possibility, solution and strengths focus
Focus of Attention: Area’s to look at
Along with those general tasks, we need to look into the following areas and focus our attention on…
What people learn as they struggle
Personal qualities and virtues
Talents that people have
Cultural and family rituals, beliefs, stories and lore
Dreams and hopes
The community
Spirituality / Faith

Types of Questions — Types of Questions
When we are practicing using strengths, we can help draw out strengths in a number of different categories.
[Whole Class Activity] For each category, write out a prompt on the board and elicit potential options for vocabulary that could be used for this category of question)
Survival questions (How have you managed….?
Support questions (What has helped make you feel like you can keep going?)
Exception questions (magic question)
Esteem questions (what has given you confidence, how have you processed… etc)
[Whole Class Activity] Demonstrate using strengths perspective to elicit information about going through school.
[Small Group Activity] Have students work in groups of two to talk about their experience going to school so far with a focus on eliciting strengths in the four areas.

Strengths Perspective - Levels of Interaction — Strengths Perspective - Levels of Interaction
Strengths perspective can be applied to every level, and all types of situations.
Mezzo level with helping to draw out shared strengths of a group or team Macro level by evaluation and process activities to asses the strengths of an organization or societal activities.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy — Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Solution-focused brief therapy is a treatment model and a part of the solution-focused framework. It was developed by Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and their colleagues starting in the late 1970’s
The solution-focused framework is unique because it is not focused on giving advice but giving the client the chance to direct the process.
Focus on solutions, not admiring the problem
Spend 25% of our time focusing on the circumstances
Spend 75% of our time focusing on the goals

SFBT - Tenants — SFBT - Tenants
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it
Look for exceptions
Asking questions rather than telling clients what to do
Future is negotiated and created
Complements
Gentle nudging to do more of what is working
Change is constant and inevitable
The solution is not always directly related to the problem

SFBT - Interventions — SFBT - Interventions
Not knowing
Complementing strengths
Scaling questions
Exception questions
Coping questions
Miracle question

Not Knowing — Not Knowing
Clients experts
General attitude communicating an abundant, genuine curiosity
Micro practice skills

Complementing Strengths — Complementing Strengths
Strengths perspective
Building rapport and giving hope
Direct complements: positive evaluation or reaction
Indirect complements: a question implying something positive

Scaling Questions — Scaling Questions
Motivation, hopefulness, depression, confidence, progress… etc
Techniques for follow-up

Exploring Exceptions — Exploring Exceptions
Problem description vs. exceptions
Increase awareness of current/past successes
Turning past solutions into present solutions
Finding out specifics

Coping Questions — Coping Questions
Tailored to help client from feeling overwhelmed
A method for exploring exceptions

Miracle question — Miracle question
Amplifying what the client wants
Formatting the question
Concrete, behavioral, measurable terms
Realistic terms

Jacob Campbell
@campjacob

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Week two is a cross-sectional look at some of the perspectives, frameworks, and theories commonly used in social work. It should assist in gaining awareness about the difference between these ways of thinking discussed in social work literature. We will look into the following:

Perspectives, theories, and frameworks
Systems theory
Ecological perspective
Strengths perspective
Solution-focused brief therapy

After this session, students will be able to articulate the difference between perspectives, theories, and frameworks. Students will also have knowledge about a couple of theoretical options for their integrative paper due later in the semester.