dimensions of human behavior: person and environment chapter 2 theoretical perspectives on human...

Dimensions of Human Behavior: Person and Environment

Chapter 2

Theoretical Perspectives on Human Behavior

KEY POINTS ADDRESSED Theories in General

Big Ideas and Applications Sociologically-based Perspectives

Systems Conflict Rational Choice Social Constructionist

Psychologically-based Perspectives Psycho-dynamic Developmental Social Behavioral Humanistic

Theories Compared

Chapter 2:Theoretical Perspectives

Theories

Are useful for thinking about changing

configurations of persons and environments

Are not mutually exclusive but overlapping and

intersecting

Differ by focus and perspective

Evolve as world views expand and change to

accommodate diversity and inequality

Are used to guide practice interventions


Big Ideas of the Systems Perspective Systems are made up of interrelated members (parts) that

constitute an ordered whole.

Each part of the system impacts all other parts and the

system as a whole.

All systems are subsystems of other larger systems.

Systems maintain boundaries that give them their

identities.

The dynamic interactions within, between, and among

systems produce both stability and change, sometimes

even rapid, dramatic change.


Applications of the Systems Perspective

Identify and discuss the recent role transitions that

may be affecting Martha Clark and her family.

How can a social worker assist Martha Clark and her

family to renegotiate unsatisfactory role structures?

What types of networks might members of the Clark

family develop for support as they face their

challenging role transitions?


Big Ideas of the Conflict Perspective Groups and individuals try to advance their own interests

over the interests of others.

Power is unequally divided, and some social groups

dominate others.

Social order is based on the manipulation and control of

non-dominant groups by dominant groups.

Lack of open conflict is a sign of exploitation.

Members of non-dominant groups become alienated from

society.

Social change is driven by conflict, with periods of change

interrupting long periods of stability.


Applications of the Conflict Perspective

What are the power arrangements and forces of oppression

and the alienation that emanates from them that you can

identify in the Clark family?

What types of advocacy efforts might challenge the patterns

of dominance in this family?

What are some techniques that social workers can use in

their practice to heighten awareness of the power dynamics

in relationships with the Clarks and other clients?


Big Ideas of the Rational Choice Perspective

People are rational and goal-directed.

Social exchange based on self-interest as actors

try maximize rewards / minimize costs.

Values, standards, expectations, and alternatives

influence the assessment of rewards and costs.

Reciprocity of exchange is essential to social life.

Power comes from unequal resources in an

exchange.


Applications of the Rational Choice Perspective Explain the ecomap (exhibit 2.6) that describes the patterns

of exchange in the social support networks of the Clark

family and the organizations involved in their lives.

How can a social worker help members of the Clark family

to renegotiate unsatisfactory patterns of exchange?

What social policy can increase the rewards for prosocial

behavior in families like the Clarks?


Big Ideas of the Social Constructionist Perspective Human consciousness, and the sense of self, is shaped by

continual social interaction.

Social reality is created when people, in social interaction, develop a common understanding of their world.

People perform for their social audiences, but they are also free, active, and creative.

Social interaction is grounded in language customs, as well as cultural and historical contexts.

People can modify meanings in the process of interaction.

Society consists of social processes, not social structures.


Applications of the Social Constructionist Perspective

What are the different ways that members of the Clark

family understand their situation?

How can a social worker engage the Clarks in thinking

about the environments in which their constructions of

situations have developed?

How can a social worker be involved in the discussion with

Martha Clark and her family to negotiate lines of action?


Big Ideas of the Psychodynamic Perspective Emotions have a central place in human behavior.

Unconscious, as well as conscious, mental activity serves as the motivating force in human behavior.

Early childhood experiences are central in the patterning of an individual’s emotions and, therefore, central to problems of living throughout life.

Individuals may become overwhelmed by internal and/or external demands.

Individuals frequently use ego defense mechanisms to avoid becoming overwhelmed by internal and/or external demands.


Applications of the Psychodynamic Perspective Discuss the emotional conflicts of Martha

Clark and her family and trace these conflicts to potentially related past events.

How can a social worker help the member of Martha Clark’s family develop self-awareness and self-control?

What and where are some of the environmental resources needed by the Clarks?


Big Ideas of the Developmental Perspective Human development occurs in clearly defined age-

graded stages.

Each stage of life is qualitatively different from all other stages.

Each stage builds on earlier stages.

Human development is a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Moving from one stage to the next involves new tasks and changes in statuses and roles.


Applications of the Developmental Perspective Identify some of the key developmental

transitions of Martha Clark.

How have the familial, cultural, and historical contexts in the timing and experience of developmental transitions impacted her situation?


Big Ideas of the Social Behavioral Perspective Human behavior is learned when individuals interact

with the environment.

Similar learning processes taking place in different environments produce differences in human behavior.

All human problems can be formulated as undesirable behavior.

All behavior can be defined and changed.

Human behavior is learned by association of environmental stimuli, by reinforcement, by imitation, and by personal expectations and meanings.


Applications of the Social Behavioral Perspective Consider the variety of learning processes by which

Al and his mother have learned behavior.

Is there any reason to consider the possibility of learned helplessness and the lack motivation for change in working with the Clarks?

Are there social justice and fairness issues that a social worker should be aware of before engaging in behavior modification with any member of this family?


Big Ideas of the Humanistic Perspective

Each person is unique and valuable.

Each person is responsible for the choices he or she makes within the limits of freedom.

People always have the capacity to change themselves, even to make radical change.


Big Ideas of the Humanistic Perspective

Human behavior can be understood only from the vantage point of the phenomenal self—from the internal frame of reference of the individual.

People make psychologically destructive demands on each other, and attempts to meet those demands produce anxiety.

Human behavior is driven by a desire for growth, personal meaning, and competence, and by a need to experience a bond with others.


Applications of the Humanistic Perspective What might be some differences between your

assessment of the Clarks’ situation and Martha or Al Clark’s own assessment?

What are the strengths of each member of the Clark family?

How does a focus on the strengths differ from a focus on the pathology in this family?


Theories Comparatively

Refer to the Exhibit 2.1 in the text and review the five criteria of analysis:

Coherence and conceptual clarity

Testability and empirical support

Comprehensiveness

Diversity and power

Usefulness for practice

Chapter 2:Theoretical PerspectivesChapter 2:Theoretical Perspectives

Theories Comparatively (continued)

Pair up with classmate: Choose one psychological and one sociological based

theory and discuss the similarities and differences across the five criteria. Which one of these theories would each of you be more likely to use in your practice? Why?

Choose two psychologically-based theories and discuss the similarities and differences across the five criteria. Which one of these theories would each of you be more likely to use in your practice? Why?

Choose two sociologically-based theories and discuss the similarities and differences across the five criteria. Which one of these theories would each of you be more likely to use in your practice? Why?

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