Social work theories tables

Introduction

This document contains three tables listing groupings of social work theories; this is a new format updated in 2020.

These tables are a development of listings that I have prepared and published on the Internet on my Scribd document archive for some years.

The origins of these tables are the various editions of my book Modern Social Work Theory (MSWT). In each edition, I have listed the practice theories
presented in books that review social work theory compared with the theories covered in MSWT. I do this to enable readers to compare and contrast various
approaches to reviewing practice theories. After three editions in 1991, 1997 and 2005, I produced this table to show how the coverage of the various reviews
of theory were changing (or to be more accurate, not changing very much). I have done this again in 2020, for the publication of MSWT fifth edition in 2021.
Previously, I have just created a single table, bringing together the lists provided in Chapter 2 of the editions of MSWT. Eventually this was on an Excel
spreadsheet. Unfortunately, this did not convert well to the format on Scribd and the table was truncated. I’m sorry about this; it wasn’t apparent to me. As a
result of these problems, I have revised the new version published in 2020 to make it easier to use.

The new format (in three tables)

Table 1 shows the groupings of social work practice theories covered in each edition of Modern Social Work Theory shown side by side, so that you can see
how the content developed from the publication of the first edition in 1991 until the fifth edition in 2021.

Table 2 lists the theories covered in Francis J. Turner’s edited text Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches in editions available during the
currency of Modern Social Work Theory. Although not the first such review of theories published (I regard Roberts and Nee’s edited text Theories of social
casework (1970) as the first), Turner’s book was first published in 1974 and has been consistently available ever since. Also, it has the most differentiated
coverage of practice theories. In Table 2, I compare the contents of the editions of Turner’s book used in MSWT, editions 3-6, dated 1986, 1996, 2011 and
2017. Alongside these, the table starts with the groupings used in the first and fifth editions (1991 and 2021) of MSWT (in the first and sixth columns, in italics)
for comparison with Turner’s editorial decisions.

Table 3, finally, follows up on the tables previously published. It notes the theories covered in the books reviewing social work practice theories used as
comparators in the various editions of MSWT. On this occasion, I have simply noted the numbers of theories covered in each grouping covered in the fifth
edition of MSWT. In addition, to the right of the table, there are a number of subject areas covered by some reviews that MSWT does not cover specifically;
these are italicised. I have not spelled out the details of theories differentiated by the authors or editors, but it gives a guide to the importance given by other
authors/editors to the topics covered in MSWT.

The book, and therefore the tables, do not cover or claim to cover all the possible texts that have been available across the world, and it does not cover similar
books in languages other than English. Malcolm Payne
Social work theories table 1: Theory groups covered in ‘Modern Social Work Theory’ Editions 1 to 5

First edition (1991)
Psychodynamic
Crisis intervention, task-centred
Behavioural
Cognitive
Systems, ecological
Social psychological, communication
Humanist, existential
Empowerment, advocacy
Radical, Marxist
Second edition (1997)
Psychodynamic
Crisis intervention, task-centred
Cognitive-behavioural
Systems, ecological
Social and community development
Social psychological, communication
Humanist, existential
Empowerment, advocacy
Radical, Marxist
Anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive
Third edition (2005) Fourth edition (2014) Fifth edition (2021)
Psychodynamic Psychodynamic Psychodynamic relational
Psychodynamic attachment
Crisis intervention, task-centred Crisis, task-centred Crisis, trauma, task-centred
Cognitive-behavioural Cognitive-behavioural Cognitive-behavioural
Motivational interviewing
Systems, ecological Systems, ecological Systems, complexity, chaos
Social and community development Macro, social development, social Macro, social development, social
pedagogy pedagogy
Social psychology, social construction Strengths, narrative, solution Social construction, strengths, solutions
Social construction, narrative
Humanism, existentialism, spirituality Humanistic, existentialism, spirituality Humanistic, existentialism, spirituality
Empowerment, advocacy Empowerment, advocacy Social justice, empowerment, advocacy
Radical to critical Critical Critical
Eco
Feminist Feminist Feminist
Anti-discrimination, cultural and ethnic Anti-oppressive, multicultural Anti-oppressive, Indigenist, multicultural
sensitivity sensitivity sensitivity

References
Payne, M. (1991). Modern social work theory: A critical introduction. Basingstoke: Macmillan.
Payne, M. (1997). Modern social work theory (2nd Ed.). Basingstoke: Macmillan.
Payne, M. (2005). Modern social work theory (3rd Ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Payne, M. (2014). Modern social work theory (4th Ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Payne, M. (2021). Modern social work theory (5th Ed.). London: Red Globe Press.
American editions 1-4 were published by Lyceum Books, Chicago. American edition 5 is published by Oxford University Press, New York.
Social work theories Table 2: theory groups covered in Francis J Turner’s ‘Social Work Treatment’ editions 3-6 compared with ‘Modern Social Work Theory’ editions 1 and 5

MSWT 1st ed. (1991) Turner 3rd ed. (1986) Turner 4th ed. (1996) Turner 5th ed. (2011) Turner 6th ed. (2017) MSWT 5th ed. (2021)
Psychodynamic Attachment Attachment Psychodynamic relational
Ego psychology Ego psychology Ego psychology Psychodynamic attachment
Functional Functional Functional Functional
Problem-solving Problem-solving Problem-solving Problem-solving
Psychoanalytic Psychoanalytic Psychoanalysis Psychoanalytic
Psychosocial Psychosocial Psychosocial Psychosocial
Relational (psychosocial)
Relational Relational
Crisis intervention, task-centred Crisis Crisis Crisis Crisis, disaster, trauma Crisis, trauma, task-centred
Task-centred Task-centred Task-centred Task-centred
Trauma-informed
Behavioural Behaviour Behaviour Cognitive behaviour Cognitive behaviour Cognitive-behavioural
Cognitive Cognitive Cognitive Cognitive Cognitive
Self-efficacy
Social learning Social learning
Neuroscience
Motivational interviewing
Systems, ecological Chaos Chaos Systems, complexity, chaos
Systems Systems General systems General systems
Life model Life model Life model Life model
Macro, social development, social pedagogy
Social psychological, communication Communication Communication Social construction, strengths, solutions
Constructivism Constructivism Constructivism Social construction, narrative
Socially constructing
Narrative
Neurolinguistic programming Neurolinguistic programming Neurolinguistic programming
Postmodern
Resilience
Role Role Role Role
Social networks Social networks
Solution-focused Solution-focused
Strengths
Humanist, existential Client-centred Client-centred Client-centred Client- (Person-) centred Humanistic, existentialism, spirituality
Existential Existential Existential Existential
Hope
Hypnosis Hypnosis (neuroscience) Hypnosis
Meditation Meditation Meditation Meditation
Transactional analysis Transactional analysis Transactional analysis
Transpersonal Transpersonal Four forces (transpersonal)
Empowerment, advocacy Empowerment Empowerment Empowerment Social justice, empowerment, advocacy
Radical, Marxist Marxist Materialist Critical
Ecopsychology Eco
Feminist Feminist Feminist Feminist Feminist
Aboriginal Aboriginal Anti-oppressive, Indigenist, multicultural
Oppression Oppression sensitivity
Family Strategic
Gestalt Gestalt Gestalt Gestalt
Electronic exchanges
References

Payne, M. (1991). Modern social work theory: A critical introduction. Basingstoke: Macmillan.
Payne, M. (2021). Modern social work theory (5th Ed.). London: Red Globe Press.

Turner, F. J. (Ed.) (1986). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (3rd Ed.). New York: Free Press.

Turner, F. J. (Ed.) (1996). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (4th Ed.). New York: Free Press.

Turner, F. J. (Ed.) (2011). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (5th Ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.

Turner, F. J. (Ed.) (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th Ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
 Theory reviews

Howe
Howe

Walsh
Strean

Coady

(2010)
(2009)
(2008)
(2007)
(2007)
(2006)
(1995)
(1994)
(1991)
(1987)
(1986)
(1971)
Groupings of theories from

Kumar

Greene
Beckett
Philpott
Hanvey,
Roberts,

Hopkins

Lishman
Lishman
Modern Social Work Theory

Lehmann,
Nee (1970)
(5th ed., 2021).

x
x
x
x
x

xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
relational
Psychodynamic

xxx
xxx

xxxx
xxxx

x
x
x

xx
xx
attachment
Psychodynamic

x
x
x

xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
task-centred
Crisis, trauma,

xxx

x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x

xx
Cognitive-behavioural

xxx
xxx

x
interviewing
Motivational

x
x
x
x

xx
xx
Systems,
chaos complexity,

x
x
x

xx
pedagogy
Macro, social

xxx
development, social

x
x
x

xx
xx
strengths,Social
solutions
construction,

xxx

x
x
narrative
Social construction

x
x
x
x

xx
xx Humanistic,
existential, spirituality
xxxxxx

x
xx
xx

advocacy
Social justice,
empowerment,

x
x
x
x

xx
xx

Critical
x
x

Eco

x
x
x
x
x
x

Feminist

x
x

multicultural
Anti-oppression,
Indigenist,
x
x
x
x

xx
xx

Family
Social work theories Table 3 Comparison of reviews of social work theory covered in ‘Modern Social Work Theory’ editions 1-5.

x
x
x

Role
x
x

Organisation
x

Gestalt
x
x
x

Groupwork
x

Coercive roles
x

Genetics
x

Risk, resilience
x

Neuropsycholgical
x

Interpersonal
 Ford

Leitz
Teater
Teater

(2019)
(2018)
(2017)
(2016)
(2015)
(2014)
(2012)
(2012)
(2012)
(2010)

Payne,
Coady,
Langer,

Stepney
Deacon,
Stepney,

al (2018)
Lehmann
Trevithick

Reith-Hall
Thyer et al

Lishman et
Macdonald

Thompson,

x
x
x
x
x
x

xx
(x)
(x)

xxxx
relational
Psychodynamic

x
x
x
attachment
Psychodynamic

x
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx

task-centred
Crisis, trauma,

x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x

xx

xxx

Cognitive-behavioural

x
x
x
x
x

xx

interviewing
Motivational

x
x
x
x
x
x

xx
xx
xx

Systems,
chaos complexity,
x
x

xx
Macro, social

xxx
xxxx
pedagogy
development, social

x
x
x
x

xx
xx

xxx
xxx
xxx

strengths,Social
solutions
construction,

x
x
x
x
x

narrative
Social construction

x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x

xx
xx

xxx

Humanistic,
existential, spirituality
x
x
x
x
x
x

xx

Social justice,
advocacy
empowerment,
x
x
x
x
x

Critical
x
x

Eco
x
x
x
x
x
x
x

Feminist
x

xx
xx

Anti-oppression,
multicultural
Indigenist,
x
x

Family

Role
x

Organisation

Gestalt
x
x
x
x

Groupwork

Coercive roles

Genetics

Risk, resilience

Neuropsychological

Interpersonal
References

Beckett, C. (2006). Essential theory for social work practice. London: Sage.

Beckett, C. & Horner, N. (2016). Essential theory for social work practice (2nd Ed.). London: Sage.

Coady, N. & Lehmann, P. (2016) Theoretical perspectives for direct social work practice: a generalist-eclectic approach (3rd Ed.). New York: Springer.

Deacon, L. J. & Macdonald, S. J. (2017). Social work theory and practice. London: Sage.

Greene, R. R. (Ed.) (2008). Human behavior theory and social work practice. (3rd Ed.). New Brunswick, NJ: Aldine.

Hanvey, C. & Philpot, T. (Eds.) (1994). Practising social work. London: Routledge.

Hopkins, J. (1986). Caseworker. Birmingham: Pepar.

Howe, D. (1987).An introduction to social work theory. Aldershot: Wildwood House.

Howe, D. (2009). A brief introduction to social work theory. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Kumar, H. (1995). Theories in social work practice. Delhi: Friends.

Langer, C. L. & Lietz, C. A. (2015). Applying theory to generalist social work practice: A case study approach. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Lehmann, P. & Coady, N. (2016) Theoretical perspectives for direct social work practice: a generalist-eclectic approach (2nd Ed.). New York: Springer.

Lishman, J. (Ed.) (1991) Handbook of theory for practice teachers in social work. London; Jessica Kingsley.

Lishman, J. (Ed.) (2007) Handbook for practice learning in social work and social care: Knowledge and theory (2nd Ed.). London; Jessica Kingsley.

Lishman, J., Yuill, C., Brannen, J. & Gibson, A. (Eds.) (2018). Social work: An introduction (2nd Ed.). London: Sage.

Payne, M. & Reith-Hall, E. (Eds.)(2019). Routledge handbook of social work theory. London Routledge.

Roberts, R. W. & Nee, R. H. (Eds) (1970). Theories of social casework. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Stepney, P. & Ford, D. (Eds.) (2012). Social work models, methods and theories: A framework for practice (2nd Ed.). Lyme Regis: Russell House.
Strean, H. S. (Ed.) (1971) Social casework: Theories in action. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press.

Teater, B. (2010). An introduction to applying social work theories and methods. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Teater, B. (2014). An introduction to applying social work theories and methods (2nd Ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Thompson, N. & Stepney, P. (Eds.) (2018). Social work theory and methods: The essentials. New York: Routledge.

Thyer, B., A., Dulmus, C. N. & Sowers, K. M. (Eds.) (2012). Human behaviour in the social environment: Theories for social work practice. Hoboken, NJ:
Wiley.

Trevithick, P. (2012). Social work skills and knowledge: A practice handbook (3rd Ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Walsh, J. (2010). Theories of direct social work practice (2nd Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Walsh, J. (2014). Theories for direct social work practice (3rd Ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.