Ch 2
Define the psychodynamic perspective and discuss two big ideas associated with it.
How internal processes such as needs, drives, and emotions motivate human behavior. 1) psychosexual stage theory: five stage model of child development based on sexual instincts, oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital 2) drive theory: HB motivated by the drive for (thanatos) aggression or destruction and the drive for (eros) life
Define the social constructionist perspective and discuss two of the big ideas associated with it.
How people construct meaning, a sense of self, and a social world through their interactions with each other. 1) impression management we have many modalities for performing for our audiences 2) phenomenological sociology - individuals and groups are constrained by the preexisting social and cultural arrangements constructed by their predecessors
Identify two theories that would be useful in your work with the McKinley family. Define those theories in your essay and cite examples of how you would utilize those theories with the Clark family.
If I were working with the McKinley family, I would focus on empowerment theories in order to avoid and overcome self-doubt that has the potential to be crippling. This would include thinking creatively about options to make money, send Bethany to school, and find support from the community. Overcoming feelings of powerlessness in the face of difficult monetary situations would be a priority. Working with an multigenerational family, I would keep the developmental perspective in mind. What are the stages that the 4 family members are at? Erickson's epigenetic model of human development would help to focus on Bethany's need for intimacy, Marcia and Stanley's as they undergo changes that directly affect their generativity, and helping Ruth retain a sense of integrity and meaning as she nears the sunset of her life.
If a social worker were to help family members increase their personal sense of competence in taking care of an elderly relative we would define this as:
Self-efficacy
The assumption that learning takes place as individuals interact with their environments is related to the:
Social behavioral perspective
An individual's participation in a support group for heart attack survivors has helped him modify some of his views about his situation by encouraging a solution-focused approach to his concerns. This is an example of the:
Social constructionist perspective
An elderly person who receives the benefit of her basic needs being met but at the same time endures the cost of feeling that she has nothing to offer in exchange. This is an example of the:
Social constructionist perspective (how people construct meaning, a sense of self, and a social world through their interactions with each other)
The premise that social behavior is based on the desire to maximize benefits and minimize cost is _______________________ theory.
Social exchange
A theory that is based on the desire to maximize benefits and minimize costs is:
Social exchange theory (George Homans, an interaction in which resources are exchanged, as the core process in social life)
Define the social behavioral perspective and discuss two big ideas associated with it.
Social learning perspective as well, HB is learned as individuals interact with their environments. 1) classical conditioning theory (respondent conditioning) HB is learned through association when a naturally occurring stimulus is paired with a neutral stimulus
The interrelated lives of the McKinley family as well as the impact of external factors such as job insecurity, health care issues, and cultural gender and role definitions that influence their individual behaviors and affect the family's general well-being can be well explained using concepts from the:
Systems perspective (human behavior as outcome of interactions within and among systems of interrelated parts)
Define the conflict perspective and discuss two of the big ideas associated with it.
The conflict perspective emphasizes conflicts that arise because of inequalities in the distribution of resources. Critical race theorycalled attention to microaggressions - brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages and insluts to people of color or members of any other minority group - the oppression of nondominant groups leades to their alienation, or a sense of indifference or hostility. Empowerment theories focus on processes that individuals and collectivities acan use to recognize patters of ineuality and injustice and take action to increase their own power.
What are the merits of using multiple perspectives in social work practice? How can these perspectives help mitigate our personal biases and encourage objective, comprehensive assessment?
The example I always think of is that of a tool box - you could use a screwdriver to hammer a nail, but a hammer would do a lot better job. The more tools a therapist has in their "tool box" of perspectives, the better equipped they are to help different clients. Part of the responsibility of a therapist is to identify their own biases and prejudice when interacting with clients and many of these theories will help to clarify and challenge the therapist to think more carefully about things they do not have as much experience with. On top of that, taking different approaches to a client's situation expands the therapist's abiity to bring a more objective, useful approach to the session.
Compare and contrast the ideas of the social behavioral perspective and the humanistic perspective. Cite examples of how you think these theories would help with assessment and intervention in your practice with clients.
The social behavioral perspective is helpful when considering what makes a client act the way they do. In cases of addiction and impulsive behavior, this may be a particularly helpful theory to work with as it helps discover what the inner motivations and desires of a person are. After identifying different needs or desires, the therapist can then help aid the client to fulfilling their needs in a healthier way. The humanistic perspective can be helpful to aid client's who are looking for spiritual enlightenment or nourishment, and also helpful to identify what kinds of needs require attention (using Maslow's hierarchy of needs). Social behavioral perspective learns more from studying the effects of social experiences on one's personal behavior, and the humanistic perspective focuses more on meeting the felt needs of a client.
Define the systems perspective and discuss two of the big ideas associated with it.
The systems perspective sees human behavior as the outcome of interactions within and among systems of interrelated parts. Chaos theory although it appears that the complexity of numerous interacting systems produces disorder, there is actually an underlying order that can only be discovered by analysis using complex computer models. Feedback mechanisms are the processes by which information about past behaviors in a system are fed back into the system in a circular manner
True or False. One big idea of the conflict perspective is that lack of open conflict is a sign of exploitation.
True
True or False. One big idea of the social behavioral perspective is that all human problems can be formulated as undesirable behavior.
True
True or False. One big idea of the social constructionist perspective is that people can modify meanings in the process of interaction.
True
True or False. Stage 1 (birth-1 year) of Erikson's model of human development proposes the psychosocial crisis to be basic trust versus mistrust.
True
Compare and contrast the ideas of the systems perspective and the conflict perspective. Cite examples of how you think these theories would help with assessment and intervention in your practice with clients.
While the systems perspective emphasizes the interaction between different fields of study and its' affect on human behavior, the conflict theory is a bit more specific in its' concentration, focusing on the conflicts between different power structures and individuals, and its' ability to create patterns of dominance and oppression. A systems perspective can focus on the societal, familial, monetary, and political structures that an individual interacts with. This helps to understand the motivations of a client's behavior. The conflict perspective offers insight into the kind of power that an individual has and can bring understanding for how to increase someone's empowerment to overcome challenges and live healthily.
Ruth is entering into her late old age and struggles with chronic illnesses and losses. This is an example of the:
Developmental perspective (how human behavior unfolds across the life course, how people change and stay the same over time)
Persons in nondominant positions are more vulnerable to ______________________ because of prior experience with environmental forces that has led to low self-efficacy and expectations of efficacy.
learned helplessness
A person's felt and interpreted experience of "who I am" is referred to as:
Phenomenal self
The finding that individual choices and decisions are often inconsistent with assumed rationality and are often too complicated to ascertain the most rational choice illustrates which criteria for judging social theory:
Empirical support
Social workers have used the conflict perspective as a base to develop practice-oriented _______________________ theories, which focus on inequality, injustice, and increasing power.
Empowerment
A theory that guides our practice interventions towards building on client strengths is:
Empowerment theory (provide guidelines for working at all system levels [individual, family, small group, community, and organization] with particular emphasis on group work)
True or False. Stage 4 (ages 6-12) of Erikson's model of human development proposes the psychosocial crisis to be industry versus inferiority.
True
True or False. When we consider human behavior from a systems perspective, we see it as an outcome of reciprocal interactions of persons operating within linked social systems.
True
True or False. One big idea of the humanistic perspective is that all behavior can be defined and changed.
False
True or False. One big idea of the rational choice perspective is that human consciousness and the sense of self are shaped by continual social interaction.
False (humans are rational [weighing rewards and costs], purposive, and motivated by self interest - interested in group dynamics when rational actors make strategic decisions)
True or False. An open system is one where there is no exchange with external systems.
False (in constant interaction with other systems)
True or False. Stage 7 (late 20s -50s) of Erikson's model of human development proposes the psychosocial crisis to be intimacy versus isolation.
False (intimacy v. isolation is early to late 20s, late 20s to early 50s is generativity v stagnation)
True or False. A closed system is one where there is an exchange of resources with external systems.
False (isolated from other systems in its environment)
When family members make choices based on freedom of action and search for meaning this is an example of the:
Humanistic perspective (humanistic psychology and existential psychology emphasize the individual's freedom of action and search for meaning)
Individuals who weathered several negative environmental experiences and changes in their physical functioning that may be contributing to lowered expectations of self as well as a resistance to measures that might improve their functioning. This is best described as:
Learned helplessness
Security is very important to Stanley, which represents which of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
Safety needs (avoidance of pain and anxiety, desire for security)
Compare and contrast the ideas of the psychodynamic perspective and the developmental perspective. Cite examples of how you think these theories would help with assessment and intervention in your practice with clients.
A psychodynamic perspective brings insight to the internal processes of a client, whereas a developmental perspective considers how those needs, drives, and emotions change over the course of one's life. A psychodynamic perspective serves to remind the therapist of the complicated relationship between internal processes and behavior and a developmental perspective helps the therapist understand the conflicts present at different stages of a life course.
Which of the following is NOT a term associated with the systems perspective? A. phenomenal self B. boundary C. feedback mechanisms D. interactions
A. phenomenal self
In a short answer discuss two merits of using multiple perspectives as a social worker.
AA social worker is able to draw from different perspectives in order to apply them to different situations as needed. A mechanic wouldn't use the same tool to fix every problem with a car, and the tools that the different perspectives provide ought to be used with responsibility and intelligence.
A term associated with the capacity to intentionally make things happen is known as:
Agency
According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, meeting one's needs for affection and intimacy refers to:
Belongingness and love needs
A theory associated with change that can be sudden, rapid, or radical is:
Chaos theory (although it appears that the complexity of numerous interacting systems produces disorder, there is actually an underlying order that can only be discovered by analysis using complex computer models)
A theory that defines behavior as learned through association is:
Classical conditioning theory (respondent conditioning, through association when naturally occurring stimulus (unconditioned stimulus) is paired with a neutral stimulus (conditioned stimulus) Ivan Pavlov)
Describe classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and cognitive social learning theories.
Classical conditioning: respondent conditioning, behavior is learned through association when a naturally occurring stimulus (unconditioned stimulus) is paired with a neutral stimulus (conditioned) (Pavlov). Operant conditioning: instrumental conditioning, behavior is the result of reinforcement, rewards and punishments, consequences (Watson and Skinner). Cognitive social learning theories: cognitive behavioral theory or social cognitive theory, behavior is also learned by imitation, observation, beliefs, and expectations (Albert Bandura).
A theory that suggests that behavior is also learned by imitation, observation, beliefs, and expectations is:
Cognitive social learning theory (Albert Bandura)
The expansion of conflict theory by Randall Collins to integrate conflict processes at the social level with those at the small group and family levels addresses which criteria for evaluating theory:
Comprehensiveness
Individuals who hold power in the family but little power in the labor market is an example of the:
Conflict perspective (Georg Hegel, Niccolo Machiavelli, draws attention to conflict, dominance and oppression in social life)
Describe theories consistent with the conflict perspective.
Critical race theory: created by legal scholars to highlight racial oppression in law and society Empowerment theory: focus on processes that individuals and collectivities can use to recognize patterns o finequality and injustice and take action to increase their own power Feminist theory: focus on male domination of the major social institutions and present a vision of a just world based on gender equity
Traditional psychodynamic theories have been criticized on which basis for of theory evaluation: A. diversity and power B. testability and empirical support C. coherence and conceptual clarity D. all of the above are criticisms of traditional psychodynamic theory
D. all of the above are criticisms of traditional psychodynamic theory
Having a sense that you can personally accomplish a goal is known as:
Efficacy expectation
Classical developmental theories have been criticized primarily for:
Failure to address diversity and power (focus on European American, hetero, middle class men)
True or False. One big idea of the psychodynamic perspective is that human development is a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.
False (it is more focused on internal processes)
The processes by which information about past behaviors in a system are fed back into the system in a circular manner are called:
Feedback mechanisms
The theory of ___________________ presents a vision of a just world, which is based on gender equity.
Feminism
Define the humanistic perspective and discuss two big ideas associated with it. Emphasizes the individual's freedom of action and search for meaning.
Hierarchy of needs according to Maslow, existential psychology 1. Each person is unique and has value 2 suffering is a necessary part of human growth 3 personal growth results from staying in the immediate moment 4 personal growth takes a sense of commitment
Define the developmental perspective and discuss two big ideas associated with it.
How HB unfolds across life course, how people change and stay the same over time. Erickson's life cycle stages with a psychosocial crisis: 0-1 trust v mistrust, 2-3 autonomy v shame, doubt, 3-5 initiative v guilt, 6-12 industry v inferiority, 12-18 identity v role confusion, early-late 20s intimacy v isolation, late 20s-50s generativity v stagnation, late adulthood integrity v despair. Life span or life cycle theory: focuses on the inner life during age-related stages
According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the needs that must first be satisfied before higher needs can emerge are:
Hunger, thirst, sex (physiological needs)
A theory that recognizes vectors of oppression and privilege is called:
Intersectionality theory (gender, class, race, global location, sexual orientation, and age)
A theory that defines behavior as the result of reinforcement is:
Operant conditioning theory (instrumental conditioning, behavior is the result of reinforcement, John B. Watson, BF Skinner)
List in order Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
Physiological needs: hunger, thirst, sex. Safety needs: avoidance of pain and anxiety, desire for security. Belongingness and love needs: affection, intimacy. Esteem needs: self-respect, adequacy, mastery. Self-actualizatioin: to be fully what one can be, altruism, beauty, creativity, justice
A perspective that is concerned with how internal processes such as needs, drives, and emotions motivate human behavior is known as the:
Psychodynamic
The humanistic perspective is called the 'third force' because it was developed in reaction to:
Psychodynamic and behavioral perspectives
49. Define the exchange and choice perspective and discuss two of the big ideas associated with it.
Roots in behavioral psychology, economics, anthropology, philosophy, and sociology, focus on processes whereby individual and collective actors seek and exchange resources and the choices made in puruit of those resources. Social exchange theory (George Homans) interaction in which resources are exchanged - the core process in social life. Reciprocity - receiving resources requires giving resources of relatively equal value
True or False. A big idea of the developmental perspective is that human development occurs in clearly defined stages.
True