Theories in Social Work

Vs
Social Work Theory

Based
Based on
on the
the article
article written
written by
by
Prof. Rajeshwar Prasad,
Former
Former Director,
Director,
Institute
Institute of Social Sciences,
of Social Sciences, Agra
Agra
IASSI Quarterly, Vol.20.No.1.2001
IASSI Quarterly, Vol.20.No.1.2001

PPT
PPT Presentation
Presentation by
by
S. Rengasamy
S. Rengasamy
Madurai
Madurai Institute of Social Sciences
Institute of Social Sciences
There is a plethora of theories in Social work
education, training, research & practice
One may account for approximately thirty theories
taught during the period of instruction to social work
graduates.
These theories have been borrowed from other
disciplines viz. psychiatry, psychology, sociology,
anthropology, economics, criminology, political
science, theology, philosophy, administration etc.

Attempt is made by social work educators and

practitioners to do a good fit of these theories with
professional practice of social work.

Theories
Theories in
in Social
Social Work
Work Vs
Vs Social
Social Work
Work Theory
Theory
It will be useful if we understand the different types of theories
taught and the logic as why are these theories imparted to the
students.
It may be logical to group these theories in broader categories

e.g.
Theories of evolution,
Theories of personality (development) & learning theories,
Theories of social organization and social change, theories of
social stratification,
Theories of individual and group behavior,
Theories of deviance, crime and correction,
Theories of economic growth and development, theories of group
dynamics and leadership,
Theories of social work (clinical practice) etc.

Theories
Theories in
in Social
Social Work
Work Vs
Vs Social
Social Work
Work Theory
Theory
Curriculum Development Centre in Social Work Education,
University Grants Commission, India recognized three elements of
social work curriculum
1.Values of the profession
2.Skills and methods that are developed for the professional task
3.Major theories and concepts
Objectives of teaching theories
1.Refinement of practice
2.Provision of changing theoretical inputs to the social work
knowledge base
3.Building up of new theories from the practice data
The centre has recommended to include many different theories
discretely and dispersaly but failed to do a wise selectivity of
appropriate theories to be taught rationally and coherently and
imparting knowledge of these theories compactly as an
independent course that are taught in other disciplines eg.
Sociological Theories, Modern Economic Theories, Contemporary
Political Theories, Psychological Theories

Theories
Theories in
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Social Work
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Social Work
Work Theory
Theory
The term theory is loosely used in social work
profession. The use of social work theories in
professional literature is rather ambiguous. Concepts,
frames of reference, practice models and
philosophical propositions have been termed as
theories.

Theories
Theories in
in Social
Social Work
Work Vs
Vs Social
Social Work
Work Theory
Theory
Some social work practitioners maintain that due to
the very nature of the fast changing society – social
relations, social institutions, culture economy, polity,
attitude and behavior patterns, dynamics of client –
practitioner relationship and the very eclectic nature
of the profession, theory has no value in professional
practice. But some other advocates that theory
should inform and guide the practice and the practice
must function as a feedback for theory reformulation

Theories
Theories in
in Social
Social Work
Work Vs
Vs Social
Social Work
Work Theory
Theory
The social world and the human behavior within it are
so complex that any simplification model can only
distort reality. This is not to argue that model building
or measurement has no place in sociology. The point
is that every social phenomenon must be quantified
is neither acceptable nor desirable
M. Francis Abraham.

It holds true of the status of theory in social work

also.

Theories
Theories in
in Social
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Theory
Social and behavioral scientist, obsessed as they are with the natural
science model have a “theoretical bias” for explaining social events
and behavioral expressions. This bias has lead to the growth of a
variety of theories

1. Speculative theories (an abstract impressionistic approach rooted

in the philosophical system.
2. Grounded theories (based on the findings of empirical research)
3. Grand theory (broad conceptual scheme with systems of
interrelated propositions that provide a general frame of reference
for the study of social processes and institutions)
4. Miniature theories (partial or inclusive theories which Merton calls
the theories of middle range)
5. Macro or Molar theories (broader in scope and encompass an
extended range of laws)
6. Micro or Molecular theories (narrow frame of reference and focus
on a limited range of phenomena)

Social work theories can best be categorized as miniature and / or

molecular. Theories in Social Work Vs Social Work Theory
Theories in Social Work Vs Social Work Theory
Social work has been widely viewed as a “helping
profession”. This helping thrust has been broadly
classified into clinical and wider system change
orientation.

The theories used in social work practice in the western

world viz. USA, Canada are predominantly individual
pathology oriented, largely influenced by psychoanalytic
theory, with farfetched implications /usage for group
dysfunctioning, community conflicts, family
disintegration due to economic forces and wider societal
contradictions that are generally responsible for
individual maladjustments, group disorganization and
other social problems in any society.

Theories
Theories in
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Social Work
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Social Work
Work Theory
Theory
The realization that problems of individual and /or
group and community malfunctioning /
maladjustments are rooted in the economic and
social malaise created due to the inherent
contradictions of the capitalist economic political
system, ultimately lead to the recognition of macro
analysis and the realization of mega actions.
Marxist theory based on the above understanding
has guided the practice of a considerably good
number of social workers throughout the world.

Theories
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Social Work
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Theory
It is observed by some social workers that the
psycho analytic theory instead of informing and
guiding the social work practice has simply taken the
practice over or in other way hijacked the practice.

Theories
Theories in
in Social
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Social Work
Work Theory
Theory
 Clinical and non clinical social work practice
Clinical social work deals
with individuals.
Clinical social work is a
mental health profession
whose practitioners,
educated in social-work
graduate schools and
trained under supervision,
master a distinctive body
of knowledge and skill in
order to assess, diagnose,
and ameliorate problems,
disorders, and conditions
that interfere with healthy
bio-psychosocial
functioning of people -
individuals, couples,
families, groups - of all
ages and backgrounds.
Realizing the extreme limitations of social work in a changing
environment, the fall- out effect of the conscious dismantling of
the social welfare system in the west and its effect on social work
profession as such, disillusionment over the social work methods
in actually modifying / correcting / adjusting individuals, some of
the training institutions of social work switched over to Social
Development for teaching and training graduates, incorporating
development theories, concepts and models in the curriculum.
Thus theories related to community organization/ development,
social policy and administration, non - governmental and civil
society organization –their function and utility (viz. contract
failure theory, subsidy theory) regional planning and development
(viz. growth centre hypothesis, central place and cumulative
causation theories),theories of development and
underdevelopment, social action theories etc included in the
social work syllabi. But it is also observed that, theories of
development that are taught, though uncritically, are not used in
the social work practice.
Theories
Theories in
in Social
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Theory