Five Theories In Social Work - Book Review

Introduction to Five Theories in Social Work

Discuss about the Book Review and Reflective Piece on Social Work for Theory.

The Book Review:

Five Theories in Social Work (Gunn Strand Hutchinson by Siv Oltedal)

Translated By Lene Skaug,

Sydney, Australia, Universitetsforlaget, 2014

In modern civilization, the core concept and theoretical model of social work have to be well understood. This paper is focused on the five major groups of theories in the study of social work. These fives theories provide an insight into the conventional and the advanced concept of social work and its process of evaluation. These five groups of theories are Psychodynamic Theories, Interactional Theories, Conflict Theories and System Theories (Cane, O’Connor & Michie, 2012). This paper also includes various scientific psychosocial theories such as theories of Freud, Marx, Mead, Goffman, and others. This literature has also analyzed the sociological influences of these theories and how these theories are utilized as the fundamental keys of the concept of sociology as well as of social work.

The book is divided into seven coherent and logically placed chapters to introduce and analyze these theories along with their social interpretation and practical implementation. At the initial chapter of this book, the author describes the dynamics behind the development of social work theories. In this part, the author has critical analysed the intersection between individual and social practices. The developmental history of this social work practice has been also discussed concerning the timeline of 1900 to 1990. The innovation of various sociological and psychological theories in this timeline has been analyzed to introduce the idea behind the topic.

In Chapter two, the author has started the discussion on the psychodynamic theories and its evolution in the context of social work and implementation. Initially, the classical psychodynamic theories have been discussed as the origin of the standard psychological theories. Henceforth, these theories and their implementation have been discussed along with the exploration of various psychological research work and inspirational movement throughout the history. After that, these theories have been criticised with respect to their practical implementation within an individual, social space, and conventional social work approaches.

In Chapter three, the author described the phenomenology and ethnomethodology of the Integrationist theoretical stages. The field of the social work and its progressive innovation have been identified and analyzed by criticising the perceptual evaluation through various theories such as Humanistic models, Shulman’s Interactional model, and others (Turner, 2014). An integrationist analysis of different experiences of social security office has been also done in this chapter by the author. Finally, the author describes the ‘Critique of interactionism in social work' with respect to the previous discussion.

Psychodynamic Theories and their evolution

In chapter four, the main focus of this paper is various learning theories in social work and their process of development throughout the history of human civilization. The origin of these theories and the development process have been analyzed by subdividing this part into Behaviourism, Cognitive learning theories, and Behavioural Modification (Gambrill, 2012). The problem-solving model regarding short term and long term learning process have been critically discussed with respect to their impact on the social groups and on any individual.  How the ‘The Tree’ learning process takes place in the social environment has been examined with criticism of learning theories in the social work.

In the fifth chapter of this book, the author examines the different conflict theories and their process of interventions in social work. A critical perspective of modern society and trends of social work has been projected from both feminist perspectives as well as the perspectives of various other social movements. The traditional area and the current condition of social work and the operational area have been critically examined to identify the scope of future evaluation in the social works and its platforms. The importance of anti-oppression practices and the role of community work for the effective practice of the moral responsibilities have been discussed from the perspective of human rights.

In the sixth part of this paper, the author discussed the origins and evolution of system theories with respect to the Functionalism, alternate consciousness, and psychic system. The way of communication systems and its impact on the sociological development of mankind have been examined. Finally, the current implementation of various social interactions like social network and family work has been analyzed along with the practical explanation of “The insensible child” theory (Dolgoff, Harrington & Loewenberg, 2012).  At the end of this paper, the author summarised the whole contents and theories by providing its implementation in social work from a various perspective of social working practices. The variation among the five groups of theories in social work has been briefly described in tabular representation.

 For a student of social work, this paper provides the fundamental concepts of sociological theories and history of sociological practices. Through this book, the reader can have a basic and transparent idea of various sociological perspectives, its history and its potential implementation in the practical field. There are some case studies provided in this book to examine the tangibility of the theories. However, the study is highly focused on the theoretical developments of sociological fact and the concepts of social work that hinder the realistic understanding of operational dilemmas of the discussed theories and concepts. 

Phenomenology and Ethnomethodology of Integrationist theoretical stages

As a student of social work, the book ‘Five Theories in Social Work’ has given me the opportunity to learn the fundamental concept of sociology and the evolution of social work throughout the history of mankind. In the context of social work and its practice, this book has helped me to understand various theories and approaches of social work with transparent interconnectivity and relativity within these concepts (Dolgoff, Harrington & Loewenberg, 2012). However this book has provided me with a very precise and valuable idea of the sociology and the objectives of social work, hence I have to read other literature on the related topic to realize the attainability of these theories.

In order to progress in my career as a social worker, this book has provided a summarise information about the sociological diversity and interpretation of human psychology that will keep me motivated about my study as well as the implementation of my knowledge and realization. The knowledge on psychological background of the social work has enabled me to understand if any individual would need any psychological help to cope up with anxiety, depression and other very common disorders (Gambrill, 2012). The books also allowed me to have a closer observation on the current condition of sociological dilemmas from regional, national and the global perspective.

On the basis of the dynamical growth of sociological interpretation, I can interpret various advanced sociological theories and implementation within the social work practice. In spite of the lack of knowledge of the physiological diversity of human being, I can gain some additional realization about how various cultural interpretation of sociological model can change their environment of social work and perspective. The advancement of various theoretical models and framework allow implementing new innovative ideas that can make the social works more efficient and less costly for the care-receivers. 

Along with the practical implementation of my knowledge gathered from this book in my career and further scope of the study, I can also use the knowledge to understand my own behaviours and perspectives on lifestyle. This self-realization will allow me to grow my capability of choosing the suitable way to make my life more stable and healthy from both physiological and psychological aspects (Turner, 2017). On the other hand, the models cannot be implemented directly in my daily life; however, these are highly influential for my future development plan. 

The independent approach of these theories will help me out to make more effective strategic model and tactical implementation that will be more beneficial for both society and my personal well being. The critical analysis of various theoretical model and implementations will enable me to critically evaluate the advanced sociological concepts and their implementation in modern society (Cane, O’Connor & Michie, 2012).  Additionally, this text has allowed me to appreciate the extensive character of different recovery movement as well as establish my own perspectives within this and assessment of all perspectives counting my own.

This book has reminded me that at the time of being a consumer I have still the situation for implementing my ability as a social worker. This book has also made me realize that my current and previous experiences are not enough to understand all obstacles of my consumers. At the same time, this text has been thought me that I am equal to all consumers irrespective of my knowledge, understanding, and realization of several social statuses (Turner, 2014). I must maintain and protect the equality rather than assume its sustainable existence.

This book will help me to study the anti-oppressive framework by helping me through providing adequate guidance on the associative group work and situational decision making. I have also learned that experiencing tension is a necessary feature of being a critical and successful social worker. This paper will also allow me to understand my discomfort in any dissimilar situation as a step towards utilizing my interpersonal skills and intellectual advantages.

References:

Cane, J., O’Connor, D., & Michie, S. (2012). Validation of the theoretical domains framework for use in behaviour change and implementation research. Implementation science, 7(1), 37.

Dolgoff, R., Harrington, D., & Loewenberg, F. M. (2012). Brooks/Cole Empowerment Series: Ethical Decisions for Social Work Practice. Cengage Learning.

Gambrill, E. (2012). Social work practice: A critical thinker's guide. Oxford University Press.

Turner, F. J. (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches. Oxford University Press.

Turner, M. E. (2014). Groups at work: Theory and research. Psychology Press.