1. What Do We Mean By Theory?
Social Theories II
BSc Social Work: Level III
Nigel Horner
06/12/2018

2. In this first session we will:
Reflect upon the VALUE OF THEORY
Consider the LEVELS OF THEORY
Explore what we mean by THEORIES OF EXPLANATION
Examine what we mean by THEORIES OF INTERVENTION
Understand Howe’s PARADIGM OF THEORIES
But First……………………..>>>>>>>>
06/12/2018

3. The Task – The End Game…..!
The unit will be assessed by submitting a 3,000 word essay addressing ONE of the titles below:
It is possible to examine the development of social work in terms of a variety of influences but what do these mean for the future of social work as a profession? You should discuss this in relation to the criteria and at least ONE of the following:
1) A critical appraisal of the capacity of National and Local Performance Indicators to represent the efficacy of social work practice
2) A critical evaluation of theoretical accounts that best explain what social work is and which best inform your practice
3) A critique of the view that Radical Social Work was always just a fantasy and certainly very difficult to do in practice, particularly in the light of the political context since the 1980s.
In answering ONE question you need to address the sources of knowledge, the impact of post modernity and modernism and alternatives to practice based upon rationality. Your work should reflect the justification for professional practice
06/12/2018

4. The Value of Theory (Howe)
“Social Workers who are able to state what it is they think is going on and how things should be tackled are appreciated by their clients”
BUT…… “Each social worker may give us a different answer to the same situation. This curious state of affairs takes us into the world of theory”
06/12/2018

5. Sibeon (1990) identifies 3 levels of theory:
What Social Work is
How to do Social Work
The nature of the client world
06/12/2018

6. Theories of Explanation “What’s Going On?
Social Work relies upon the concept of ASSESSMENT, but this is always based upon a collection of “Facts” and “Observations”
What we collect as “FACTS” and what we “OBSERVE” is always a selective process, based upon the notion of RECEIVED IDEAS, upon assumed KNOWLEDGE
06/12/2018

7. BIG IDEAS ABOUT THEORY
No real observation of any kind of phenomena is possible, except in so far as it is first directed, and finally interpreted, by some theory (Auguste Comte)
An “Ideal Type” is a logically consistent set of statements which can be use as a construct (or model) that serves as a tool to ascertain similarities as well as differences
06/12/2018

8. IDEAS ABOUT THEORY: AN EXAMPLE
Andy drinks a lot of alcohol every day. Why?
Addictive personality
Unhappy childhood
Peer Pressure
Lonely
Likes to
Addicted
To forget problems
What’s a lot?
His Dad did
06/12/2018

9. Theories of Intervention
The vogue term is: “EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE”, also known as “WHAT WORKS”
In other words, we should only do what is PROVEN to be effective.
So, WHAT WORKS with people who drink a lot of alcohol?
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10. Howe’s Theory Paradigms
CHANGE /
SUBJECTIVITY <<<<>>>> OBJECTIVITY
REGULATION
06/12/2018

11. EXPOSITION PART A OBJECTIVITY Natural Sciences “Observable” behaviour
Proof
Positivism
Deteminism
Facts and Data
SUBJECTIVITY
Humanities
Thoughts and Feelings
Interpretivism
Existentialism
Contested “knowledge”
Discourse analysis
06/12/2018

12. EXPOSITION PART B REGULATION Stability Adaptation Functionalism
Acceptance
Conformity
Law
Order
Social Cohesion
CHANGE
Instability
Resistance
Power Analysis
Challenge
Structural Change
Liberation
Social Revolution
06/12/2018

13. EXPOSITION PART C Who are You? CHANGE RAISERS OF REVOLUTIONARIES
CONSCIOUSNESS
REVOLUTIONARIES
Who are
You?
SUBJECTIVITY
OBJECTIVITY
SEEKERS AFTER
MEANING
THE FIXERS
REGULATION
06/12/2018