The Contribution of Theorizing and Theory Translation Expertise to

Collaborative Leadership

James A. Forte, Salisbury University, Department of Social Work, Salisbury, MD 21801

jamesforte@mac.com http://jamesaforte.com

(Slide version of poster presented at NASW Annual Conference, “Social Work Courage, Hope & Leadership,”

Washington, DC July 23-26, 2014)

Interpretive Barriers to Collaborative Knowledge Use

Differing Conceptions of Ideal Knowledge (Language and assumptions of basic science versus language and assumptions of applied science)

Scientific Languages (Translation difficulties, jargon, scientific communication conventions)

Stake in Primary Theoretical Language (resistance to learning new language, investment, embedded locally, schema perseverance)

Communication and Status Differences (Status and power battles

across disciplines, professions, theoretical traditions) Organizational Context for Learning Theoretical Languages (Work

demands, lack of support & incentives, disagreements about

preferred knowledge) Education and Professional Training in Multiple Theoretical

Languages (Gaps in education, new knowledge issues, lack of continuous education)

Collaborative Knowledge Use: Crossing Boundaries in Trading Zones

Collaborative Knowledge Use:The Social Worker as Theory Translator

Collaborative Knowledge Use: A Model of Theory Translation Processes

Collaborative Knowledge Use: Using Theory Translation Devices to Communicate Across

Barriers

Major term interpreting is a translation process of identifying the major terms or key words of a theoretical language and rendering them into other words from the theory (intralinqual translation, into Standard English terms or into the idiomatic language preferred by the client (interlingual translation).

Mapping theory is the visual representation of a theory and its elements to guide assessment formulation and intervention planning.

Mapping theoretical structure is an intersemiotic translation process (across two different types of sign systems) when the translation product is a diagram and an intralingual process (within the same language) when the product is a narrative.

Marking excellence involves the critical reflection on theories by referring to standards including the standards of science, practical standards like relevance, and professional standards such as the affirmation of difference in social work.

Memorable word exegesis refers to the critical reflection on quotations from exemplary theorists and scholarly practitioners.

Metaphorical imagining is the comparison of theoretical ideas to everyday objects. Middle-range theorizing is the creation of conceptualizations and narratives of small-

scale theoretical models that represent a theory-informed case. Model profiling is the profiling and imitation of exemplary theorists with reference to

their contributions to assessment or intervention.

Collaborative Knowledge Use:Using Theorizing Skills For Inquiry and

Intervention

Professor Jim Forte’s Recent Books

ForteForte’s An Introduction to Using Theory ’s An Introduction to Using Theory in Social Work Practice (Routledge, in Social Work Practice (Routledge, 2014)2014)

ForteForte’s ’s Skills for Using Theory in Social Skills for Using Theory in Social WorkWork: 32 Lessons for Evidence-Informed 32 Lessons for Evidence-Informed Practice (Routledge, 2014)Practice (Routledge, 2014)

Professor Forte’s Free Resources for Teaching and Learning “Theories” and

“Theorizing Skills”)

Go to https://app.box.com/s/2ppny2xhvg8cisnvtqvj