1. CHAPTER ONE THEORY IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE The Practice of Generalist Social Work (2 nd ed.)

2. Key Ideas  Social work has a long history of adopting, adapting, formulating, and integrating various theoretical perspectives to guide its work.  Theories and perspectives help bring order and coherence to practice situations. © 2011 Taylor & Francis

3. Definitions of Theory and Perspective  A theory is an explanation of some event or phenomenon.  A perspective is a view, or lens, through which to observe and interpret the world.  A perspective is generally less structured than a theory.  The terms theory and perspective are often viewed as synonymous and may also be called theoretical perspectives. © 2011 Taylor & Francis

4. Common Social Work Practice Theories and Perspectives  Ecosystems Perspective  Uses concepts from systems and ecology theory  Examines the exchanges between individuals, families, groups, and communities and their environments  Helps to describe the functioning and adaptation of human systems in a dynamic interchange with each other © 2011 Taylor & Francis

5. Common Social Work Practice Theories and Perspectives  Social Justice Perspective  Social justice refers to the manner in which society distributes resources among its members.  From this perspective, social workers champion individual, group and community rights; increase effective institutional responses; and influence major social policies.  The social justice perspective helps social workers identify needs and address areas of injustice that negatively impact people. © 2011 Taylor & Francis

6. Common Social Work Practice Theories and Perspectives  Human Rights Perspective  Provides a moral grounding for practice and reflects a commitment to the belief that all people should have basic rights and access to resources  Acknowledges that the concept of human rights is couched in differing contexts, cultures, and meanings of human existence and interdependence © 2011 Taylor & Francis

7. Common Social Work Practice Theories and Perspectives  Strengths Perspective  Emphasizes strengths in people and their environments  Focuses on people’s dignity and resilience  Six principles form the foundation of the strengths perspective and help to guide practice Everyone has strengths Adversity can bring opportunity Clients’ ability to grow can’t be underestimated Social workers need to collaborate with their clients Every environment has resources Community is important © 2011 Taylor & Francis

8. Common Social Work Practice Theories and Perspectives  Postmodernism and Social Constructionism  Questions the way in which knowledge is attained and valued  Suggests that people construct reality based on experiences in the social world and the social world’s varying contexts  Focuses on deconstructing or exploring long-held values, beliefs and perceptions  Critical social construction uses these ideas to explain how groups use dominant beliefs at the expense of other groups © 2011 Taylor & Francis