420 What is the macro social environment?

Perspective

-A point of view, based on assumptions or a system of beliefs -Perspectives provide a framework for developing and selecting theories (not a guide for practice) -No perspective or set of theories is totally unique to social work

The Conflict Perspective

-Also comes from sociology; Karl Marx -Direct contrast to functionalist perspective -Emphasizes competition, inequality and change -A focus on power and the struggle for scarce resources -The foundation for empowerment theories to address social injustice, oppression -Criticism: can overemphasize polarization (focus on victims and oppressors)

The Strengths Perspective

-Also derived form the social work profession's values -Views all individuals and groups as having value and capabilities -Consider individual's resources, skills, dreams, and motivations when working with them -Helpers become agents of the client system -Look at strengths of the environment and of the client (consistent with the ecosystems perspective)

Systems Perspective

-Assumes an underlying order to everything -Each system has a structure of interrelated parts -The whole is more than the sum of its parts -Everything is connected; change in one part affects the system as a whole -All systems are made up of smaller systems and are also parts of larger systems -Each system has a boundary that separates it from other systems and gives it its identity -As systems evolve, they become more complex

Ecosystems Perspective

-Combines concepts from ecology with systems perspective -A general perspective for describing systems' functioning in the greater macro environment -Serves as an umbrella encompassing other theories -The individual and environment continually influence each other

Political Forces

-Current governmental structures, laws, distribution of power among the population

The Diversity Perspective

-Derived from Social Work profession's values -"Salad bowl" vs. the "melting pot" -Emphasis on celebrating human diversity -Promoting justice and fairness for everyone -Essential for culturally competent practice

The Social Constructionist Perspective

-Emphasizes the role of human mind -Experiences shape individual's perceptions -Reality is defined by perceptions -Reality is socially constructed through social interaction and people act according to their contracted reality -Criticism: if everything is subjective, no basis for judging situations or taking action to improve them

Key aspects of the Strengths Perspective

-Empowerment -Resilience -Membership

The Functionalist Perspective

-From sociology (structural-functionalism) -Society is a system of interrelated parts that work together to promote stability -Each part serves a function, contributes to the whole -Interested in stability, maintaining the status quo -Criticism: some negative things may be seen as useful, contributing to the stability of society (poverty, racial inequality)

Steady State

-Greater change, considerable interaction with the environment

Empowerment

-Increase personal, interpersonal or political power so individuals can take action to improve their life situations -Involves critical thinking about how macro systems affect people -Ask: to what extent are people getting the resources and support they need? (from their communities, institutions, etc.)

Macro Social Environment

-Involves communities, organizations, and groups and how these systems affect people -Involves social, economic, and political forces and social institutions

Equilibrium

-Limited change, minimal interaction with the environment

Homeostasis

-Maintain a relatively stable, constant state of balance

Social Institutions

-Patterns of human interaction that meet the basic needs of a society -In addition to the family, several basic social institutions exist in all societies: -Government -Economy -Religion -Education -Health Care -Social Welfare -Criminal Justice -Mass Media

Habitat

-Places or settings where individuals can be found

Economic Forces

-Resources that are available, how they are distributed and how they are spent

Goodness-of-fit

-The extent to which there is a match between an individual's or group's needs, rights, goals, and capacities and the qualities of their physical and social environments

Niche

-The status occupied by an individual or family in the social structure (race, ethnicity, gender, age, poverty, sexual orientation, or physical or mental status)

Adaptation

-The various processes people use to achieve a better level of fit between themselves and their situation

Social Forces

-Values, and beliefs, strong enough to influence people's activities

Sources of Strengths:

1. From trials 2. From talents 3. From cultural and personal stories

Criticisms of the Strengths Perspective

1. Postive thinking in disguise 2. Simply reframes misery 3. Pollyannaism (ignores how manipulative and dangerous some people can be) 4. Ignores or downplays real problems