Social Work Department

Chapter One Session Two

Introduction to theories and Practices
Course: Social Work Theories and Practices
Faculty of Social Science D&SW
Degree Program
Abdinasir A. Mohamed Biyo
BSc , MA,JKUAT, PGDSSW
KIU-CC-USA
 Chapter Outline
 Introduction
 Objectives
 Main Content
 Types of social work theory.
• The conceptualization of social work as a ‘discipline and
profession’
• Theories and methods focusing on interaction, communication, or
networks between individuals
• Theories and methods focusing on power relationships and social
change by and for individuals, groups and communities and within
social agencies
• Conclusion
 Summary
 Test Questions
 References/Further Readings
 Introduction
Social work theories are general explanations that are supported by

evidence obtained through the scientific method. A theory may explain

human behavior, for example, by describing how humans interact or how

humans react to certain stimuli. Social work practice models describe how

social workers can implement theories.

This chapter will attempt to present a brief overview of different theories

and methods of social work, with a focus on their respective characteristics

as outlined above: individuals, interactions between individuals and

relation- ships between individuals and society. (World Bank on 27-29

September 2017)
One can trace all of the following theoretical models to the

tradition of Mary Richmond and her work with individuals.

On the other hand, most of them are conceptually narrower than

her contribution.

They focus almost exclusively on intra-psychic mechanisms and

do not take account of social and cultural influences (Payne

1991):
 Objectives
 At the end of the unit, you should be able to:

 To define types of social work theory.

Improve the conceptualization of social work theory

Differentiate between social work theory and model in

social work ?
To know theories and methods focusing on power

relationships and social change by and for individuals,

groups and communities and within social agencies
 Main Content
Types of social work theory.
There are seven general types of theories that underpin

social work practice, which are predominately developed

within the professions of psychology and psychiatry and
the academic disciplines of psychology, sociology and
philosophy. The following theories were selected as they
serve as the basis for understanding human behavior,
social interactions and social constructions that is required
to conduct efficient and effective social work practice.
The theories range from explanations of individual

biological, psychological, and social development, to

theories that explain psychological functioning,

relationships and social interactions, to theories that explain

the societal influences on social order, construction of rules

and norms, and explanations for inequalities and

disadvantage. (Weiss and Welbourne 2007).

Developmental Theories .

Developmental theories explain the biological,

psychological, social and emotional development as stages
over a portion (childhood; adolescence, adulthood, old age)
or the whole of the life span. Many developmental theories
focus on the development during childhood, such as Piaget’s
theory of cognitive development, which describes how a
child (from birth to over 11 years) moves through discrete
stages of cognitive development and intellectual growth to
where she/he learns how to think and reason (Crain, 2011).
Bowlby’s (1988)
 Psychodynamic Theories

Psychodynamic theories focus on the psychological drives and forces

within individuals that explain human behavior and personality. The

theories originate from Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis, which focused

on the unconscious mind as the source of psychological distress and

dysfunction. Psychoanalytic theory proposed the need for psychoanalytic

therapy where the aim is to bring the unresolved issues, developed during

childhood, or repressed trauma buried within the unconscious to the

conscious mind in order for the client to begin to address these

unresolved and underlying problems (Sharf, 2012).

Behavioral, Cognitive and Social Learning Theories .

Behavioral, cognitive and social learning theories explain how

individuals come to learn how to think, feel and behave.

Behavioral and social learning theories were developed by

theorists who disagreed with the psychodynamic theorists.

Instead, they hypothesized that individuals learn how to behave

by cognitively and behaviorally responding to cues received

from the interactions with their social environment.

 Cont.

The development of behavioral and social learning theories

originated through experiments conducted by psychologists

during the early 1900s that explored how animals can be

conditioned to respond in a particular way. The studies from

Ivan Pavlov and John Watson lead to the ideas of classical and

respondent conditioning, which proposed that behaviors are

the result of prior learning and can be learned and unlearned.

  Humanistic Theories .
 Humanistic theories used within social work practice originated from

humanistic psychology, which developed in response to the

psychodynamic and behavioral theories that focused on human behavior
and personality being determined by the unconscious or through
reinforcers from the social environment. Humanistic psychology saw that
these two prominent theories viewed individuals in response to events
that they were not able to fully control and failed to view the individual as
meaning-making and purposeful. Humanist theories stress the ultimate
good of humans and their potential, creativity, health, hope, meaning,
connection, purpose and ability to reach self- actualization, or for
individuals to achieve their full potential (Crain, 2011).
 Cont.
The five core values of humanistic theory include the following:

1. human beings supersede the sum of their parts;

2. human beings have their existence in a uniquely human context,

as well as in a cosmic ecology;

3. human beings are conscious. They are aware and aware of

being aware both of oneself and in the context of other people;

4. human beings have some choice and, thus, responsibility; and

5. human beings are intentional, aim at goals, are aware that they
cause future events, and seek meaning, value and creativity
(Greening, 2006, p. 239).
  Social Constructivist Theories .

Social constructivist theories focus on the creation of reality and

how individuals view the world. The theories are related to the
humanistic theories, discussed above, in that they were
influenced by phenomenology as well as philosophical ideas of
what is real and what is socially constructed.
The basis of the modern social constructivist theories stems

from Berger and Luckman (1966) who explored reality creation

and the influence of individual meaning based on life
experiences, societal and cultural expectations, rules and norms,
which they termed social constructionism.
  Systems Theories .

 Systems theories are based on the belief that individuals do not

operate in isolation, but rather grow and develop in interaction

with their physical and social environment. Systems theories

derive from general systems theory, which explores the parts of a

system that interconnect and interact to make a complete whole

(Teater, 2010). Within social work, systems can constitute

individuals, couples, families, communities, organizations,

society, and the world.

  Critical Theories.
 Critical theories in social work aim to examine and critique social and

political structures and functioning and their effects on individuals,

families and communities (Payne, 2005). Such critiques and
understanding of social and political structures will assist in social
work’s aims of tackling inequalities and disadvantage; and promoting
social justice. Conflict theory is a form of critical theory, based on the
works of Karl Marx and Max Weber, which focus on inequalities
within society, such as wealth, power, class, and how such
inequalities impact on individual life experiences and chances
creating conflict between and within social groups (see Hier, 2005 for
a review of critical theories).

  The conceptualization of social work as a ‘discipline and
profession.
 Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic

discipline that promotes social change and development, social

cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people.
Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility
and respect for diversities are central to social work.
 Conceptualization is a process that involves coming up with clear,

concise definitions. Conceptualization in quantitative research

comes from the researcher's ideas or the literature. Qualitative
researchers conceptualize by creating working definitions which
will be revised based on what participants say.
 Theories and methods focusing on interaction,
communication, or networks between individuals.

These theories try to expand the notion of the individual by

focusing on his/ her social relations and interaction and
communication with relevant others – back to the conceptual
approach of Mary Richmond, one might say. The main areas
of theory and practice are social work with families and
(small) groups, including (working) groups as subsystems of
organizations.

Some theoretical approaches draw on psychodynamic theory,

while others refer to behavior/ role theory;
Transaction analysis is a prominent approach in social
work with families. It re- lies on psychodynamic theory
and focuses on the interaction between the ego states of a
single person (as child – parent – adult) and those of
another person (Berne 1961, 1964): when transactions
involve different ego states, problems, misunderstandings
and negative labelling occur.
Social work with groups also bases its interventions on
the interactions be- tween group members, but views these
as a result of group and/or organisa- tional structure and
culture (Kirst-Ashman and Hull 1993: 82–113). The roles
of group members can all be the same, with a very small
power differential, or the group may have some kind of
division of labour and a greater power
Constructing social networks and cooperatives. This is

another set of theories that conceptualizes the resources of

social and cultural environments in order to construct
supportive social networks for supportive, reciprocal
neighbour- hood relations or cooperatives in a community.
 One example is the development of new jobs suited for

long-term unemployed, disabled, or minority community

members with little chance of finding work in the
mainstream economy (Elsen 2007).
  Theories and methods focusing on power relationships and
social change by and for individuals, groups and communities
and within social agencies .
 This theoretical tradition can be traced to Jane Addams and the

women of Hull House, who were members or active supporters of

feminist, pacifist po- litical movements and were involved in the
organisation of trade unions with female workers. Today, the
general label applied to these theories is radical social work,
which encompasses structural, feminist, neo-Marxist, and anti-
racist/-oppressive/-discriminatory social work. These theories
rose to promi- nence from the 1960s to the 1980s (Fook 1993, see
also Lavalette and Fer- guson 2007).
 They criticized selective psychological explanations of social

problems, specifically how they made these problems a private

matter instead of transforming them into public issues; how
society placed the blame on the victims; and how social work
cut off service users from collective action by treating them
individually. These arguments were accompanied by a radical
critique of the social welfare system, which pointed out the
over specialisation and funding restrictions of social agencies;
the fact that the management and most professionals at these
agencies shared the views of mainstream society; bureaucratic
rigidity; and the ‘creaming of the poor’.
 Conclusion
From the perspective of social work theory, methods and
systems which are predominately developed within the
professions of psychology and psychiatry and the academic
disciplines of psychology, sociology and philosophy.

The above theories were selected as they serve as the basis

for understanding human behavior, social interactions and
social constructions that is required to conduct efficient and
effective social work practice.
 Summary
In this chapter, we have been able to defined by types &

methods for Social work theory and applications .

 However, This chapter wrer attempted to present a brief

overview of different theories and methods of social work, with

a focus on their respective characteristics as outlined above:

individuals, interactions between individuals and relation- ships

between individuals and society.

 Test Questions
1. What are a few of the seven types of
theories in social work ?
2. Determine the two main theories that underlined
social work?.
3. State the conceptualization of social work
theories in the social work practice?
4. Discuss brief for social work theories
towards wellness of clients?
 Reference/Further Readings
 Addams, J. (1902), Democracy and Social Ethics. New York:
Macmillan.
Addams, J. (1960), A Centennial Reader. New York:
Macmillan.
Alinsky, S. D. (1971), Rules for Radicals. New York:
Macmillan.
Baecker, D. (1994), Soziale Hilfe als Funktionssystem der
Gesellschaft. Zeitschrift
für Soziologie, 23: 93–110.
Becker-Lenz, R., Busse, St., Ehlert, G., Müller, S. (Eds.),
Professionalität in der Sozialen
Arbeit. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften.