8.30.10_HB_lecture_notes.doc

PAGE PAGE 1 8.30.10 SW3330 Lecture Notes SW 3330 ? Human Behavior & the Social Environment 8.30.10 Theoretical Perspectives Chapter 1 Glossary of Relevant Terms HYPERLINK "http://www.wadsworth.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M35&product_isbn_issn=049500622X&&altname=Glossary&&resource_id=10&chapter_number=1" \l "top#top" Systems Theory Concepts System A set of elements that are orderly and interrelated to make a functional whole Boundaries The borders or margins that separate one entity from another Subsystem A secondary or subordinate system that is a component of a larger system Homeostasis The tendency for a system to maintain a relatively stable, constant state of balance Role The culturally established social behavior and conduct expected of a person in any designated interpersonal relationship Relationship A reciprocal, dynamic, interpersonal connection characterized by patterns of emotional exchange, communication, and behavioral interaction Input The energy, information, or communication flow received from other systems Output The response of a system, after receiving and processing input, that affects other systems in the environment (not to be confused with the term outcome, which refers to a specified variable that is measured for the purpose of evaluation) Feedback A special form of input in which a system receives information about its own performance Interface The point where two systems (including individuals, families, groups, organizations, or communities) come into contact or communicate Differentiation The act or tendency of a system to move from a more simplified to a more complex existence Entropy The tendency of a system to progress toward disorganization, depletion, and death Negative entropy The process of a system toward growth and development Equifinality The fact that there are many different means to the same end Ecological Perspective Concepts Social environment The conditions, circumstances, and human interactions that encompass human beings Transactions The communication and interactionbetween people in their environments Energy The natural power of active involvement between people and their environments Interface The point where two systems (including individuals, families, groups, organizations, or communities) come into contact or communicate Adaptation The capacity to adjust to surrounding environmental conditions Coping A form of adaptation that implies a struggle to overcome problems Interdependence The mutual reliance of each person upon every other person Other Concepts Culture The configuration of shared attitudes, values, goals, spiritual beliefs, social expectations, arts technology, and behaviors that characterize the larger society in which individual micro systems live Community A group of people who have something in common with each other that links them and distinguishes them from others who are not part of the community Ecosystems theory Systems theories merged with an ecological perspective, whereas people are thought of as being involved in constant interaction with various systems in the environment Micro System An individual Mezzo System Any small group, including family, work groups, and other social groups Macro System A system larger than a small group. Organizations Structured groups of people who come together to work toward some mutual goal and perform established work activities that are divided among various units Systems theories A broad category of theories that involve concepts that emphasize interactions and relationships among various systems, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, or communities Development In Context SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT The Ecomap Using an ecosystem perspective in social work practice, the social worker attempts to understand individuals and families in their environmental context. The ecomap is a visual tool designed to organize and clarify information about the transactional relationships between the individual/family and their environment at a specific point in time. The ecomap is constructed with the client to assess resources and supports, as well as, stresses in the family?s interactions with their environment. It can be used in a broad range of practice settings with individuals and families. It is particularly helpful during assessment and intervention planning, as it helps both clients and social workers to better understand the nature of the family?s relationships with individuals, groups, organizations, and the community. Completing the ecomap can help the social worker and the client to identify strengths, needs, and boundary issues. Completion of this assignment includes a written analysis of the transactional relationships between the individual/family and their environment. Special attention should be given to the following: Social supports (family, friends, religious organizations, support groups, neighbors, pets, etc.) Community resources (housing assistance, daycare, financial assistance, health and dental care, mental health and substance abuse services, legal assistance, transportation, employment opportunities, nutrition, etc.) Stressors (legal difficulties, family dynamics, financial problems, health issues, housing instability, daycare access, transportation, domestic issues, employment obstacles, substance use, pregnancy, parenting, discrimination, etc.) Once the components of the ecomap are constructed the student should: illustrate the dynamics of these relationships with the appropriate relationship connectors (see ecomap instructions) SUGGESTED READING ON ECOMAPS Hartman, A. and Laird, J., Family Centered Social Work Practice. New York: The Free Press, 1983. Ecomap The ecomap can be used to clearly illustrate the following dimensions for each domain that is selected to be included on the tool. 1)      The STRENGTH of the connection (Weak; tenuous/uncertain; Strong) 2)      The IMPACT of the connection (none; draining resources or energy; providing resources or energy) 3)      The QUALITY of the connection (Stressful; Not stressful) Instructions: Read Case #2 below and respond to the items/questions below. Some items or questions require you to identify and apply key concepts from System Theory and Ecological: social environment, homeostasis, role, input, interface, coping, transactions, boundary, subsystem, energy, output, interdependence, adaptation, and/or relationship. Case #2: The Kelly family consisted of Angie, a 40-year-old Black schizophrenic woman, Gloria, aged 14, William, aged 13, and Verona, aged 9. The family was supported by welfare (AFDC) benefits. The family was referred to a community mental health center by a local child welfare agency because all three children were truant from school, experiencing academic difficulties, and had been repeatedly placed in foster homes over the years. Gloria stated that they lived in a ?hell zone? in which they could not sleep at night. Their apartment had been broken into a number of times. This description of their neighborhood illustrates the system or ecological key concept of (1)_________________. In the family?s first session with a therapist, the therapist was interested in each member?s perspective about their home situation, which illustrates the systems theory concept of (2)_____________. The point at which the therapist and the family came into contact represents what key concept? (3)________________ The therapist felt that the family was very guarded and she wondered if the presence of the child welfare worker might be contributing to their reluctance to discuss their family. Hence, the therapist asked the child welfare worker to wait in the waiting room, thereby creating a (4)____________ between the worker and the family. Future sessions were used to empower Angie, the mother, to take responsibility for her own family. Angie felt that she needed to find a new apartment in a safer neighborhood and explore job opportunities. Having referred her to a number of vocational and community programs, Angie reported that she still was unsuccessful in finding a new apartment and job. Finding that this was a problem of many clients being served by her center, the therapist brought together a number of mothers to share their stories and to provide support to one another. The text identifies three orientations to social work practice that are illustrated in this paragraph. One social work practice orientation illustrated is (5)________________. PAGE PAGE 1