Communities and Organizations Generalist Practice

Vocabulary flashcards covering introduction to generalist practice, organizational theories, macro roles, management approaches, and community definitions as presented in the lecture notes.

Generalist Practice

The application of an eclectic knowledge base, professional values, and a wide range of skills to target systems of any size, utilizing a seven-step planned change process.

Macro Practice Planned Change Steps

Engagement, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, Termination, and Follow-up.

NASW Core Values

Service, Social Justice, Dignity and worth of the person, Importance of human relationships, Integrity, and Competence.

Triple A Approach

A critical thinking model consisting of: 1. Ask questions, 2. Assess the established facts and issues involved, and 3. Assert a concluding opinion.

PREPARE Model

A process for macro change: Identify Problems, Review macro/personal Reality, Establish goals, Identify People of influence, Assess costs/benefits, Review Risk, and Evaluate potential success.

IMAGINE Model

A process for macro change: Innovative Idea, Muster support, Identify Assets, Specify Goals, Implement plan, Neutralize opposition, and Evaluate progress.

Organizations

Social entities that are goal-directed, designed as deliberately structured and coordinated activity systems, and linked to the external environment.

Social Services

A wide range of activities performed by social workers to help people solve problems and improve their personal well-being.

Social Agencies

Organizations specifically providing social services.

Scientific Management

A classical theory emphasizing scientifically established jobs, standardized tasks, and the balance between high profits and high employee wages.

Administrative Theory of Management

A classical theory focusing on division of labor, authority, centralization, delegation, and unity of command/direction.

Bureaucracy

A classical organizational structure characterized by highly specialized units, minimal employee discretion, and numerous specific rules.

Neoclassical Theories

Theories focusing on inducements in exchange for contributions and the motivation to participate.

Human Relations Theories

Theories focusing on employee morale, productivity, motivation, leadership, and cooperation in work groups.

Political-Economy Theory

A theory focusing on how organizations adapt to the external environment, power struggles, and dependence on external resources.

Institutional Perspective

A perspective emphasizing how organizations respond to external pressure and social institutions to gain legitimacy by adhering to rules.

Contingency Theory

A theory suggesting there is no one best way to accomplish goals, as each organization is unique and requires management flexibility based on the situation.

Culture-Quality Theories

Theories emphasizing the relationship between high-quality production, strong organizational culture, and high employee commitment/participation.

Systems Theories

Theories stating all parts of an organization are related, emphasizing interaction with the environment and constant system adjustment.

Legitimate Power

Power derived from a person's formal position or hierarchy within an organization.

Reward Power

Power based on the ability to provide positive reinforcement and incentives to others.

Coercive Power

Power based on the ability to dispense punishments or negative consequences.

Referent Power

Power resulting from personal characteristics that command respect and admiration from others.

Expert Power

Power based on specialized knowledge, skills, or expertise.

Total Quality Management (TQM)

A management approach focusing on clients as customers and striving for organizational excellence.

Servant Leadership

A leadership style prioritizing the growth and well-being of people and communities, characterized by qualities like listening, empathy, and stewardship.

Spatial Communities

Communities characterized by shared physical space, social interaction, and a shared sense of identity.

Social or "Virtual" Communities

Communities based on a shared sense of solidarity, identity, or common interests within networks, often online.

Political Communities

A perspective viewing community as a political entity, often utilized in community organizing.

Metropolitan Communities

Standard metropolitan statistical areas (SMSAs) with a core urban population of at least $50,000$.

Micropolitan Communities

Communities with a core urban population of at least $10,000$.

Potential Power

The capacity to move people in a desired direction, which has not yet been exercised.

Actual Power

The use of power to influence or prevent movement in a certain direction.

Reputational Approach

A method for detecting power by asking community members who they believe has the most influence.

Issues Approach

A method for detecting power by tracking who historical decisions and specific community issues are influenced by.

Positional Approach

A method for detecting power by identifying individuals in formal leadership or authority roles.

Equifinality

A systems theory concept meaning that there are many different means to achieve the same end or outcome.

Enabler Role

A macro role where the worker provides support to an organizational or community system to benefit the client.

Mediator Role

A macro role where the worker acts to resolve conflict between an organizational system and a client system.

Broker Role

A macro role where the worker connects the macro client system to necessary resources.

Advocate Role

A macro role where the worker actively represents or defends the client system's interests to an organization or community.