SOCW 6060 Week 2 Discussion Latest
SOCW 6060 Week 2 Discussion Latest
Discussion: Individual vs. Structural-Cultural Theories
Theories help frame more than presenting problems—they also frame social problems, and both types of problems can be linked in relation to client issues. For example, many scholars and social workers have attempted to understand the social problem of poverty. Turner and Lehning (2007) classified various psychological theories to explain poverty under two headings: (1) individual-related theories or (2) structural/cultural-related theories. In other words, think of these two headings as lenses in viewing poverty. In this Discussion, you apply lenses through which to understand a client’s problem in relation to social problems.
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To prepare:
Read this article listed in the Learning Resources: Turner, K., & Lehning, A. J. (2007). Psychological theories of poverty. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 16(1/2), 57–72. doi:10.1300/J137v16n01-05
Select a theory under the individual-related theories and a theory under the structural/cultural-related theories.
Complete the handout “Comparing Individual-Related and Structural/Cultural-Related Theories” to help you craft your response. (Note: You do not need to upload the handout to the Discussion forum. The handout is intended to assist you in writing your Discussion post.)
By Day 3
Post:
Describe how a social worker would conceptualize a presenting problem of poverty from the two theories you selected.
Explain how this conceptualization differs from an individual-related versus a structural/cultural-related theoretical lens.
Compare how the two theoretical lenses differ in terms of how the social worker would approach the client and the problem and how the social worker would intervene.
SOCW 6060 Week 2 Assignment Latest
Assignment: Application of Systems Theory to a Case Study
In this course, you will be asked to select one case study and to use it throughout the entire course. By doing this, you will have the opportunity to see how theories guide your view of a client and the client’s presenting problem. Although the case may be the same, each time you use a different theory, your perspective of the problem changes, which then changes how you go about asking the assessment questions and how you intervene.
The first theoretical approach you will use to apply to a case study is systems theory. In other words, your theoretical orientation—your lens—will be systems theory as you analyze a social work case study.
Different theories can be used to take a systems approach. For example, Bertalanffy’s General Systems Theory considers how a system is made of smaller subsystems that influence each other and seek homeostasis, whereas Brofennerbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory focuses on how an individual’s experience is influenced by different system levels (micro, meso, exo, macro, and chrono). Systems theory is commonly used to understand the interrelationships of the systems (e.g., family, community, organizations, society) of the client. If you are working with families, communities, and organizations, it is also beneficial to use systems theory to get a holistic picture of all the interrelated parts of the system.
To prepare: Select and focus on one of four case studies listed in the Learning Resources. You will use this same case study throughout the course.
By Day 7
Focus on the identified client within your chosen case.
Analyze the case using a systems approach, taking into consideration both family and community systems.
Complete and submit the “Dissecting a Theory and Its Application to a Case Study” worksheet based on your analysis.