Journal #1 HBSE

mimo_doll

HutchisonPPTCh2.pptx

Home >Psychology homework help >Journal #1 HBSE

Chapter 2: Theoretical Perspectives on Human Behavior

DIMENSIONS OF

Person and Environment

HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Chapter Outline

Multiple perspectives for a multidimensional approach

Systems perspective

Conflict perspective

Exchange and choice perspective

Social constructionist perspective

Psychodynamic perspective

Developmental perspective

Social behavioral perspective

Humanistic perspective

The merits of multiple perspectives

Multiple Perspectives for a Multidimensional Approach

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

Used to guide practice interventions

Systems Perspective

Sees human behavior as the outcome of interaction within and among systems of interrelated parts

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

Systems Perspective Cont.

Examples of systems perspectives:

General systems theory

Ecological theory

Risk and resiliency theory

Complex systems theory

Chaos theory

Systems Perspective Cont.

Applications of the Systems Perspective

Identify and discuss the recent role transitions that may be affecting the McKinley family

How can a social worker assist the family to renegotiate changing or unsatisfactory role structures?

What types of networks might members of the McKinley family develop for support as they face their challenging role transitions?

Conflict Perspective

Emphasizes that conflicts arise because of inequalities in the distribution of resources

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

Conflict Perspective Cont.

Social change is driven by conflict, with periods of change interrupting long periods of stability

Examples of conflict perspectives:

Critical race theory

Intersectionality theory

Empowerment theories

Feminist theories

Conflict Perspective Cont.

Applications of the Conflict Perspective

Are there power arrangements or forces of oppression and the alienation that emanates from them that you can identify in the McKinley 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 McKinleys and other clients?

Exchange and Choice Perspective

Focus on the processes whereby individual and collective actors seek and exchange resources and the choices made in pursuit of those resources

People are rational and goal-directed

Try to maximize rewards / minimize cost

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

Exchange and Choice Perspective Cont.

Examples of exchange and choice perspectives:

Social exchange theory

Rational choice theory

Social network theory

Exchange and Choice Perspective Cont.

Applications of the Rational Choice Perspective

Using Exhibit 2.5, describe the resources sought and exchanged within the McKinley family

How can a social worker help members of the McKinley family to renegotiate unsatisfactory patterns of exchange?

What social policy can increase the rewards for prosocial behavior in families like the McKinleys?

Social Constructionist Perspective

Focuses on how people construct meaning, a sense of self, and a social world through their interactions with each other

Learn through interactions to classify the world and their place in it

Reality is shaped through interaction and is continuously reshaped

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

Society consists of social processes, not social structures

Social Constructionist Perspective Cont.

Examples of social constructionist perspectives:

Symbolic interaction theory

Postmodern theories

Social Constructionist Perspective Cont.

Applications of the Social Constructionist Perspective

What are the different ways that members of the McKinley family understand their situation?

How can a social worker engage the McKinleys in thinking about the environments in which their constructions of situations have developed?

How can a social worker be involved in the discussion with Ruth McKinley and her family to negotiate lines of action?

Psychodynamic Perspective

Concerned with how internal processes such as needs, drives, and emotions motivate human behavior

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

Psychodynamic Perspective Cont.

Examples of psychodynamic perspectives:

Drive or instinct theory

Topographical theory of the mind

Structural model of the mind

Psychosexual stage theory

Ego psychology

Object relations theory

Self psychology

Relational-cultural theory

Psychodynamic Perspective Cont.

Applications of the Psychodynamic Perspective

Discuss the emotional conflicts that Bethany McKinley might be experiencing as a result of her family situation

How can a social worker help the member of McKinley family develop self-awareness and self-control?

What does a social worker need to know about the family history to help Ruth McKinley resolve her issues with her daughter?

Developmental Perspective

Focus is on how human behavior unfolds across the life course, how people change and stay the same over time

Human development occurs in clearly defined stages

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

Each stage of life is qualitatively different from all other stages and builds on earlier stages

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

Developmental Perspective Cont.

Examples of developmental perspectives:

Life span or life cycle theory

Epigenetic model of human development

Life course perspective

Applications of the Developmental Perspective

Identify some of the key developmental transitions of Bethany McKinley

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

Social Behavioral Perspective

Human behavior is learned as individuals interact with their 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

Social Behavioral Perspective Cont

Examples of social behavioral perspectives:

Classical conditioning theory

Operant conditioning theory

Cognitive social learning theory

Social Behavior Perspective Cont.

Applications of the Social Behavioral Perspective

Consider the variety of learning processes by which Stanley 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 McKinleys?

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?

Humanistic Perspective

Emphasizes individual’s freedom of action and search for meaning

Each person is unique and valuable

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

Humanistic Perspective Cont.

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

Humanistic Perspective Cont.

Examples of humanistic perspectives:

Carl Rogers and core conditions of therapeutic process: empathy, warmth, genuineness

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Transpersonal psychology

Existential psychology

Positive psychology

Capabilities approach

Humanistic Perspective Cont.

Applications of the Humanistic Perspective

What might be some differences between your assessment of the McKinley situation and Ruth or Stanley’s own assessment?

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

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

Merits of Multiple Perspectives

All the theories seek to understand human behavior, but different phenomena are emphasized in each

Theories guide social work practice

Use multiple perspectives in integrated fashion to see many dimensions

Flexible and reflecting in thinking and “doing”

Questions to Consider about the Theories:

What is the evidence for this statement?

Is this true for all people (for me, for my client, for other people I know)?

How can I use this information in my practice?

Is there anything left out of this argument?

What is the main point of this section?

Can I summarize the argument?

How does this relate to other evidence about this topic?