Social Work Theories Flashcards

Flashcards about Social Work Theories

What are Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 lands?

The University of Regina is located on these treaty lands.

Why is it important to deeply embed the knowledge of Indigenous history into social work education and practice?

To acknowledge the harm to Indigenous populations due to colonization and ensure the profession never again plays such a role.

What is a theory?

An explanatory framework that helps make sense of the complexity of human lives and behaviour.

Why is theory useful?

To structure and organize thinking and provide a 'way of seeing' a phenomenon.

What are the characteristics of theories?

Theories are fluid and change as new knowledge emerges and are embedded in assumptions.

What are the two parts of a concept?

A symbol (representing a word or term) and a definition.

Why might there be a perceived tension between the university classroom and the field setting in social work?

Context and situations can make what is taught in the classroom look very different in actual practice.

How do practicing social workers use theory in their professional lives?

Social workers use theory, but may not acknowledge or appreciate it, applying it automatically without recognizing its depth.

What is the purist approach to selecting theories?

A theory or theoretical perspective is regularly drawn upon regardless of the client's issues.

What is the eclectic approach to selecting theories?

A social worker draws upon a range of theories and techniques from different theoretical perspectives.

What influences theories?

Social, historical, geographic, cultural, political, and economic contexts.

What is essential when considering knowledge creation?

Consider who developed major theories, and whose voices and knowledge are missing.

What are the five theoretical perspectives discussed in Chapter 2?

Ecosystem, Onion-peeling, Faulty-engine, Storytelling, and Mountain-moving theories.

What do ecosystem theories focus on?

The interactions between people and their social and physical environments.

What are Uri Bronfenbrenner's four interrelated layers of social systems?

Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, and Macrosystem.

What do onion-peeling theories focus on?

Peeling back the layers of past experiences to gain insight and awareness.

According to onion-peeling theories, what influences human behavior?

Complex relationships, drives, personality development, and the conscious and unconscious mind.

What are the key elements of psychodynamic practice?

Establish a trusting relationship, provide a safe space, enable interpretive exploration, containment, and humanistic values.

What is trauma-informed social work practice?

Trauma-informed care provides services that recognize the impact of early adversity in clients' lives.

What is the main focus of faulty-engine theories?

Changing problematic thinking and behaviors with well-defined techniques and behavioral measurements.

According to behavioral approaches, how is behavior acquired and how can it be altered?

Behavior is acquired through learning, and can be unlearned using rewards, punishment, reinforcement, and biofeedback.

What are the three fundamental assumptions of cognitive-behavioural theories?

Thinking mediates emotions and behavior, 'faulty' thinking leads to psychological distress, and altering distorted thinking can reduce distress.

What do storytelling theories focus on?

How stories can be reinterpreted to enable more positive life outcomes.

What is the focus of narrative therapy?

Assisting people to create empowering stories about themselves and their lives.

What is the focus of solution-focused therapy?

Focus on goals and capacities rather than problems and constraints, strength-based approach, and applicable with the Indigenous worldview.

What do mountain-moving theories focus on?

Eliminating disadvantage and empowering people to realize their hopes.

What are the three principles that MMT are grounded in?

Partnership, empowerment, and participation.

What are three principles that Mountain-Moving Theories are grounded in?

Partnership, empowerment, and participation..

What does Liberal feminism seek?

It seeks equality between men and women.

What does Marxist feminism highlight?

Highlights unequal distribution of power

What does Marxist feminism highlight?

Highlights unequal distribution of power.

What does Socialist feminism emphasize?

It emphasizes interpersonal and relational aspects of women’s oppression (patriarchy)

What does Radical feminism assert?

Asserts that women's freedom depends on the elimination of patriarchy.

What does Black feminism point to?

Points to diversity of women and different forms of oppression

What does Postmodern feminism focus on?

Focuses on how discourse shapes women's experiences.

What is the goal of Anti-Oppressive Practice (AOP)?

To reduce unequal power differentials and contribute to social justice.

Name three of the ten core themes of Anti-Oppressive Practice (AOP).

Macro/micro social relations generate oppression. Everyday experience is shaped by multiple oppressions. Social work is a contested and political practice.

What does critical race theory aim to do?

Aims to deconstruct the relationship between race/racism and power and reform racist relations.

What does intersectionality recognize?

Recognizes the multiple systems of inequality and oppression.

How does structural social work see society?

A struggle between social groups with competing interests and bias toward dominant groups.

What are wider social structures identified in structural social work?

Racism, homophobia, and patriarchy.

According to structural social work, what is the role of the state?

Operates to reproduce oppressive social relations.

What practice strategies are included in structural social work?

Empowerment, consciousness-raising, normalization, and dialogical relations.

What are the grounded epistemologies of Indigenous approaches to social work practice?

Recognition of Indigenous worldviews, development of Indigenous consciousness, emphasis on cultural knowledge, and Indigenous empowerment and self-determination.