Modern Social Work Theory
MODERN SOCIAL WORK THEORY
Contents
List of Figures List of Tables Preface to the Third Edition A Note on Terminology xiii xiv xv xviii
PART 1 Thinking about social work theory
1 The Construction of Social Work Theory
What this chapter is about MAIN POINTS Practice and practice theories Practice and other theory The social construction of welfare and social work Are there paradigms of social work? Is social work theory ‘modern’ or ‘postmodern’? Arenas of social work construction The social construction of practice theory CRITICAL PRACTICE FOCUS: THE GARGERY FAMILY Conclusion Further reading Websites
1 3
3 4 4 5 7 13 15 17 18 21 22 23 23
2
Using Social Work Theory in Practice
What this chapter is about MAIN POINTS PRACTICE ISSUES AND CONCEPTS The politics of theory/practice relationships Learning transfer The range of theories: selection or eclecticism How to be eclectic How to use selection Process knowledge and reflective, reflexive and critical thinking Critical thinking CRITICAL PRACTICE FOCUS: THE BURMANS Conclusion Further reading Journal
25
25 25 25 26 28 30 31 31 32 37 39 39 39 40
vii
viii
CONTENTS
3
Issues in Social Work Practice Theory
What this chapter is about MAIN POINTS Recent debates about social work theory Analyses of social work theories Work with individuals and families Frameworks for analysing theories Groupwork Community work, macro-social work and administration Other aspects of social work Effectiveness of social work theories The politics of knowledge in practice theory Positivism and interpretivism Evidence-based practice (EBP) views Social construction views Empowerment views Realist views Assessing the politics of social work knowledge CRITICAL PRACTICE FOCUS: THE GARGERY FAMILY 2 The future politics of social work theory Further reading Websites
41
41 41 41 43 43 45 46 48 50 52 54 54 55 58 58 60 62 66 66 67 69
PART I1 Reviewing social work theories
4 Psychodynamic Perspectives
What this
Contents
List of Figures List of Tables Preface to the Third Edition A Note on Terminology xiii xiv xv xviii
PART 1 Thinking about social work theory
1 The Construction of Social Work Theory
What this chapter is about MAIN POINTS Practice and practice theories Practice and other theory The social construction of welfare and social work Are there paradigms of social work? Is social work theory ‘modern’ or ‘postmodern’? Arenas of social work construction The social construction of practice theory CRITICAL PRACTICE FOCUS: THE GARGERY FAMILY Conclusion Further reading Websites
1 3
3 4 4 5 7 13 15 17 18 21 22 23 23
2
Using Social Work Theory in Practice
What this chapter is about MAIN POINTS PRACTICE ISSUES AND CONCEPTS The politics of theory/practice relationships Learning transfer The range of theories: selection or eclecticism How to be eclectic How to use selection Process knowledge and reflective, reflexive and critical thinking Critical thinking CRITICAL PRACTICE FOCUS: THE BURMANS Conclusion Further reading Journal
25
25 25 25 26 28 30 31 31 32 37 39 39 39 40
vii
viii
CONTENTS
3
Issues in Social Work Practice Theory
What this chapter is about MAIN POINTS Recent debates about social work theory Analyses of social work theories Work with individuals and families Frameworks for analysing theories Groupwork Community work, macro-social work and administration Other aspects of social work Effectiveness of social work theories The politics of knowledge in practice theory Positivism and interpretivism Evidence-based practice (EBP) views Social construction views Empowerment views Realist views Assessing the politics of social work knowledge CRITICAL PRACTICE FOCUS: THE GARGERY FAMILY 2 The future politics of social work theory Further reading Websites
41
41 41 41 43 43 45 46 48 50 52 54 54 55 58 58 60 62 66 66 67 69
PART I1 Reviewing social work theories
4 Psychodynamic Perspectives
What this
Bibliography: Source: Adapted from Sibeon (1990); Fook (2002); Gilgun (1994a).