Fook, J. (2012). Discourse, Language, Narratives(3, Discourse, ideology, language)

Discourse

The ways in which language and communication shape our understanding and construction of social reality.

Ideology

The totality of processes that form and maintain the social awareness of individuals in a society.

Practical Ideology

Specific behaviors and practices that arise from ideological beliefs.

Theoretical Ideology

Ideas or rationalizations that explain or underpin specific behaviors or practices.

Institutional Ideology

Systemic organization of specific ideas and practices that ensures their maintenance.

False consciousness

A problematic distinction between truth and falsity which involves the exercise of power.

Consciousness-raising

A process used in social work that reveals how people's thinking perpetuates systems working against their interests.

Dualism of Action and Consciousness

The divide between people's awareness and their actions.

Marxist view of awareness

Awareness must change so that people can identify and act upon their real interests.

Narrative

A personal account used to create meaning from experiences.

Language and Power

The way language carries assumptions and hierarchies that reflect power dynamics.

Critical Practice

An approach that acknowledges complexity and contradictions in social work.

Interpretative Perspective

Emphasizes subjective understanding of meaning that is context-dependent and dynamic.

Postmodern Perspective

Views theories as tools for understanding rather than strict rulebooks, emphasizing inclusivity.

Empathy in social work

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another, which can empower or disempower both parties.

Social Structures

Systems that obscure power dynamics, portraying social relations as natural and unchangeable.

Cultural Differences in Empathy

How perceptions of empathy can vary among different cultural contexts.

Revisiting Theory

A practice of considering formal theories as starting points that may not always apply in real-world situations.

Meaning-Making in Social Work

Analyzing narratives to understand how clients construct their realities and to support therapeutic changes.

Key features of Discourse

Discourse is not neutral, reflects power, shapes communication, and varies across contexts.

Interplay of Awareness and Action

The relationship between people's awareness of their situation and their subsequent actions.

Flexibility of Narrative

How personal stories can change based on new experiences and perspectives.

Limitations of Ideology

Oversimplifies phenomena by disregarding middle-level influences and creating rigid binaries.

Critical Approach to Social Work

Analyzes and challenges ideological structures that perpetuate disadvantage.

Power Dynamics in Empathy

How empathy can influence power relationships between social workers and service users.

Rhetorical Analysis in Social Work

Using narrative analysis to help clients articulate and understand their experiences.

Identifiable Roles of Professionals

Professionals possess a defined set of behaviors and beliefs that uphold their superior status.