GOALS

To understand and differentiate between the following theories/perspectives:

~ Person-in-environment perspective ~Micro, mezzo, and macro levels ~Bio-psycho-social approach ~Systems theory ~Ecological theory ~Strengths perspective

Homeostasis?

What is the person-in-environment perspective?

~Clients/problems should be viewed in the context of the environment in which they occur

~Considers people’s “systems”

~Important perspective in social work

What is meant by micro, mezzo, and macro levels of conceptualization?

~Micro = Individual ~Mezzo = Small groups~Macro = Large groups

What is the Bio-Psycho-Social Approach?

~Looks more at the biological, psychological, and immediate social realms in an individual’s life

Bio = health, genetics, weight, etc.

Psych = mental health, IQ, coping, etc.

Social = relationships with friends, family, etc.

What is Systems Theory?

~Views human behavior as result of active interactions between people and their social systems

~Specific terminology:BoundariesDifferentiationEntropyFeedbackHomeostasisInputOutputRolesSubsystemsSystem

What is Ecological Theory?

~Looks at the individual, the environment, and the interaction between the two

MACRO

EXO

MICROMESO

Hom

eReligion

Norms

Culture

Laws

Economics

Business

Gov

Media

Ch

ild’s

school

Partner’s workplaceWork

Neighborhood

Church

School

Politics

Daycare

Interaction of Microsystems

What Terms are Associated with Ecological Theory?

~Social Environment~Adaptation~Coping~Energy~Interdependence~Transactions

What is the Strengths Perspective?

~Based in the assumption that people can grow, change, and adapt.

CENTRAL IDEAS BEHIND THE STRENGTHS PERSPECTIVE

•People are often doing amazingly well, the best they can at the time, given the difficulties they face and the known resources available to them.

•People have survived to this point—certainly not without pain—but with ideas, will, hope, skills, and other people, all of which we need to understand and appreciate in order to help.

•Change can only happen when you collaborate with clients’ aspirations, perceptions, and strengths and when you firmly believe in them. 

One Way to Assess/Conceptualize Strengths

 

Quadrant 1 Quadrant 2

Quadrant 3 Quadrant 4

Strengths

Deficits (obstacles)

Environmental Factors (Natural & non-natural resources)

Personal Factors (psycho-physiological)