Swep iii. sss 571. class 2

Introduction toHuman Behavior & the

Social Environment

What is social work theory?Class 2

Overview of today’s class:

What is SW’s multidimensional approach?

What is human behavior theory?

Why do we study theory?

How do we critique what we learn?

What theories are we going to study in this course?

2SWEP III, SBennett, CUA, 2011

What is Social Work’s

“Multidimensional”

Approach to Human

Behavior?

What does “multidimensional” mean?

“Multidimensional” approach is…

Based on the belief that human behavior is dynamic

• Developed through internal & external forces

Influenced by the interaction of person, environment, & time

• A person is shaped by an ever changing environment & the environment is shaped by the person

• Both are shaped by “time”


These 3 dimensions include…

The person…• biological, psychological, social, & spiritual

The environment…• family, neighborhood, community, social

structure, clan, “tribe”

Time…• constants, trends, cycles, shifts, time

orientation, pace of time, life events

All 3 dimensions are shaped by our cultures


What does “time” include? Constants

• Changes that move in only one direction, such as age

Trends• Changes that move in a general direction, but are not

constant, such as an increase in the number of women involved in peace-building

Cycles• Changes that are repetitive, such as the school semester

cycle or the crop harvest cycle

Shifts• Changes that are sudden, such as those caused by

death, illness, trauma, natural disaster, & war

Time orientation• The way we think about time, such as “past, present,

future”• This especially depends on our culture


Person

BiologicalPsychological

Spiritual

Environment

SocialMovements

PhysicalEnvironment

Culture

Social Institutions &

Social Structure

Dyads

Families

FormalOrganizations

Communities

Linear Time Clock TimeEvent Time

SOCIAL WORK’SMULTIDIMENSIONALAPPROACH

SmallGroups

Time


A multidimensional approach recognizes that human behavior develops as a result of many causes

& is multidetermined


What is human behavior

theory?

What is its purpose?

Why do we study it?

First, what is “theory”?

A system of thoughts & interrelated concepts

• based on inductive & deductive reasoning

Includes general propositions

• expressed as hypotheses

• which are tested or testable

• intended to explain or predict phenomena in specific situations


“Theory” is different than… “Paradigm”

• A way of seeing the world• Ex: premodern traditional, modern, or

postmodern

“Perspective”• An emphasis or point of view• Ex: social work’s “strengths” perspective or

“person-in-environment” perspective

“Model”• Operationalizes theory• A guide for practitioner action

includes concrete actions & techniques

• Ex: behavioral modification11SWEP III, SBennett, CUA, 2011

What is

“human behavior” theory?

A system of thought & interrelated concepts that propose explanations of why the empirical world is the way that it is

A framework that helps us organize our thoughts, evaluate & interpret our world, explain & predict behavior


What is the purpose of human

behavior theory for SW?

It explains & predicts:

individual human behavior (micro)

the impact of larger social structures (mezzo)

social problems (macro)

It guides & informs:

social work practice

social policy & knowledge development

It directs social work research

It gives credibility to the profession13SWEP III, SBennett, CUA, 2011

In other words….

Theories help us know which way to go & how to get there!


What’s the connection of theory to

empirical research?

Theory & research together create the knowledge base of social work

Both are needed to understand commonalities between clients & practice situations

Both theory & research fit the criteria of being professional


But, theories of human behavior are “socially constructed” ideas.

That means…

Theories are shaped by the social world in which they were

developed.


“There are many ways of knowing”

How do we know things

Through an appeal from an authority

figure, such as a parent, grandparent, imam, or priest

Through persistence, which leads to “general knowledge”

Through faith & intuition

Through logic or rationalism

Through the scientific method


Theories also develop in this way…

Through interaction with & observation of the world at large

Through scientific testing of theoretical hypotheses

Through the logic, rational beliefs, & persistence of the theorists

Through the ideas & creativity of great thinkers, such as Einstein or Freud


Yet, all theories evolve &

develop within a socio-

historical context influenced

by time


For example…

theories about what is “normal”

human behavior change

from culture to culture,

from one historical moment to the next,

from one specific interpersonal

situation to another,

from one person’s beliefs to another’s.


For this reason, it is always

important to critique theories

To question…• how the theory developed & who developed it

To determine…• the evidence for the theory’s support

To evaluate… • whether the theory is useful for the people we

serve & in the situations where we work

To assess…• if the theory is in line with social work values &

ethics21SWEP III, SBennett, CUA, 2011

What theories are we

going to discuss in this

class?

Why were they selected?

Theories about interaction in

the social environment

Especially useful for macro social work practice

We will discuss…

• Conflict theory

• Systems theory

• Chaos theory


Theories about human behavior &

development

Especially useful for micro & mezzo practice

We will discuss…

• Contemporary psychodynamic & cognitive theories

• Attachment theory


Theories geared toward

social work intervention

Especially useful for societies in social

turmoil & individuals

who have experienced trauma

We will discuss

• Trauma theory

• Empowerment theory


Remember that…

A multidimensional approach requires multiple theories

There is no one theory that can fit all situations all of the time

Attention to diversity & oppression must always be given

Theories are evolving, tentative, & socially constructed


“The map is not the territory.”--Gregory Bateson

“There is nothing so practical as a good theory.”--Kurt Lewin

“There is no theory that is not beset with problems.” --Karl Popper


Technology

Swep iii. sss 571. class 2