Class 4: Macro generalist practice: theories, values, and perspectivesOverview of ClassValuesWhat are Social Work Values?Value: DiversityDiversity PrinciplesWhy is Diversity Important?Do I need more on Diversity?Value: Democratic ParticipationArnstein’s Ladder of ParticipationValue: Social/economic JusticePerspectivesStrengths Perspective: ConceptsStrengths Perspective: PrinciplesEmpowerment Perspective: conceptsEmpowerment Perspective: PrinciplesWin/Win Perspective: ConceptWin/Win Perspective: PrinciplesEBP Perspective: ConceptEBP Perspective: ProcessEvidence Based PracticeTheoriesTheories and their importanceSystems Theory DefinitionSystems concept: Open vs. ClosedSystems Concepts: HierarchySystems Concepts: BoundariesSystems Concepts: Goal SeekingSystems Concepts: Inputs-process-outputSystems Concepts: CyberneticsSystems Concepts: EquilibriumSystems Concepts: ElaborationSystems Concepts: SynergySystems Theory Application: Discussion‘New’ Systems ThinkingEcological Systems TheoryQuestions and CommentsClass 4: Macro generalist practice: theories, values, and perspectives UTA SSW, SOCW 5306: Generalist Macro Practice Professor Dick SchoechSuggest printing slides for class using: Print | Handouts | 3 slides per page | grayscale optionsCopyright 2005, Not to be used without permissionOverview of ClassValuesPerspectivesTheories, specifically Systems TheorySocial Work Change Process (in group)Hold 2nd task force meeting meetingFirm up condition, community, rolesDiscuss vision and principles Next week= Further explore conditionValues*What are social work value?* What are social work values & how are they defined?How do they affect macro practice?* How can we tell if we need additional information on values?* Review items: These should have been covered in other courses.What are Social Work Values?A value is a belief or principle to which the social work profession adheres and which guides practiceCore social work values are:Service: all seek to improve humankindSocial and economic justiceDignity & worth of person ($ exercise)Importance of human relationshipsIntegrity and competence in practice CSWE EPAS p6Diversity: understand, affirm, respect differencesDemocratic participationValue: DiversitySystems definition: A system with a variety of inputs can survive better than one with fewer inputs (requisite variety)Relevant terms for cultural diversityRace (biological concept not very useful in human services, except for genetic predisposition)Culture (symbols by which we structure reality) Ethnicity (socio-history) useful concept in human servicesDiversity PrinciplesDiversity is a strength, not a weakness. It becomes a weakness if extremely high or low All cultures are valid but some cultural practices are notPeople’s opinions and actions are influenced by their concept of race, e.g., Racism exists Theories and values are not culturally neutralUnderstanding culture helps understand human situations Source: Wright, R. Jr., Saleebey, D., Watts, T., & Lecca, P. (1983) An introduction to the transcultural perspective, in Transcultural Perspectives in the Human Services, Springfield, IL: Thomas, pp. 3-25.Why is Diversity Important?Improve practice if we understand our/client’s values & cultureHelps eliminate “group think” and narrow perspectivesDo I need more on Diversity?Do I have friends from various cultures so I can understand their culture?Do I understand the influence of my culture on my values, work practices and clients?Do I understand the influence of the dominant culture on myself, my clients, and my work?Do I make attempts to enhance my understanding of cultures?No to these questions indicate more diversity training is neededValue: Democratic ParticipationDemocraticThe will of the majority influences most heavilyThe rights of the minority are protectedParticipationPeople have a right to be involved in decisions that affect themPeople have a right to information that affects their livesPeople presented with options and supporting information can make good decisions for their livesArnstein’s Ladder of Participation1. Manipulation2. Therapy3. Informing/training/educating4. Consultation5. Placation6. Partnership7. Delegated power8. Consumer/Citizen controlNote: ranked from lowest to highest participationSource: Arnstein, S.R. (1971) Eight Rungs on the ladder of citizen participation, in E. S. Cahn & B. A. Passett, Citizen Participation: Effecting Community Change, NY: Praeger.Value: Social/economic JusticePeople have a right to the necessities of life: food, shelter, health care, and protection from violenceWhere people live without options, social and economic justice does not existThe well being of people belongs before profits, e.g., elected governments control corporationsEarth’s resources and the environment should benefit all rather than a few Access to resources and options based on religion, age, gender, disability, political opinion, and sexual preference is wrongPerspectivesStrengthsEmpowermentWin/WinStrengths Perspective: ConceptsPeople/communities are resilient (relatively healthy despite exposure to a variety of severe risks and stresses) People are doing the best they canIt’s as wrong to deny potentials (protective factors) as it is to deny the problem (risk factors)Every crisis contains an opportunity Better to focus on gains than on problemsAssessments, taxonomies, etc., must include capacities and interventions must build on capacitiesNote: can we learn from the psychicStrengths Perspective: PrinciplesFocusing on needs disempowers, focusing on strengths empowersEven the most distressed person/program has strengths and successes on which to buildFind a strength, no matter how small, and begin building on that strength (horse whisperer)Strengths are found more in histories, stories, dreams, hopes, and myths than in data/researchSource: Saleebey (see coursepack), McKnight and Kretzman, and othersEmpowerment Perspective: conceptsPower = capacity of individuals/groups to act on their own behalf and control their destiny. Implies a transformation of ‘definition of self’ as having power and the capacity to bring about changeProcess more than product, e.g., show how to fish than to give them a fishExpands the personal to the interpersonal & then to the
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