INTERPRETING YOUR RESULTS
SUBSCALE YOUR
SCORE
SAMPLE OF
130
mean (SD)
Psychodynamic 26.2 (5.2)
Biological 14.6 (4.0)
Family 18.2 (4.0)
Ecosystems 24.2 (2.6)
Cognitive 25 (4.5)
Pragmatic 20.1 (5.7)
Humanistic 10.4 (2.4)
Explain in 2 to 3 sentence the extent to which you were surprised or not
surprised by the TEST results, and explain the reasons why you were
surprised or not surprised.
I can say I was surprised that my score between Psychodynamic and Pragmatic
were tied. I expected Biological to have a higher score for me especially due to my
experience and knowledge working with adults. In working with adults, many
different theoretical perspectives can be applied. I believe that the clients’
presenting problem should guide us in which theories are applied, so we can further
assess deep rooted issues.
After looking back at the array of theories and models that were covered
in this course, identify the top three theories or models that most
appealed to you.
During this course I enjoyed learning about the different theories and how they are
used in social work. The top three theories/ models that appealed the most to me
are the Life Model, Empowerment theory and Resilience theory.
Explain in 3 to 4 sentences how your personal values, worldviews, life
experiences, and/or your personality influenced your selection of the top
three theories or models.
28
19
16
25
27
28
14
When focusing on the life model, gives insight as to why this population has fallen
victim to
their circumstances. It allows us to understand the connection as well as the
barriers between this
type of population and their environment. When focusing on the approach of
empowerment, the
social worker promotes the client to self-reflect, increase self-esteem, promote self-
direction,
motivate, and tap into adequate skills of solving problems in relations or
experiences of
oppression or suffering to encourage social change. Resilience theory allows an
individual not to become a victim of their circumstances as well as pushing through
to succeed
despite the challenges they may have or currently are facing. These three
influenced my
selection as I found that many of the values and techniques that they use, I
incorporate them
when I work with my current clients. Being able to understand these helps us as
social workers to
understand many of the dynamics that contribute to the challenges a client faces. It
also helps us
to recognize how to help them appropriately cope with and overcome those
challenges.
In this course, you were asked to select one case study to use throughout
the entire course. Describe this experience—for example, the degree to
which it was helpful to focus on one case, what you learned, what could
perhaps be done differently.
I believe that it was helpful to focus on one case throughout the course as the case
of Paula Cortez had many dynamics. Being able to observe and understand these
dynamics, helps to understand her trauma experiences more thoroughly. I learned
that in many cases it is not just one thing that contributes to a person’s behaviors,
beliefs, or ways of thinking. However, it is important to look at the whole picture and
every detail past and present no matter how small to understand our clients. Being
able to do this, allows us to implement the most effective interventions to address
not only their trauma but their life challenges associated with their traumatic
experience(s). In truth, I choose Paula because of my comfort level of dealing with
her issues.
RESPONSES
I can relate to the empowerment approach as well. Interning at a Mental Health /Substance Abuse
Outpatient program, I come across individuals who cannot identify their strengths. I think it is important
to know what our strengths our so we can be strong in what we know we are good at. It is also
important to know and understand our challenges so we can overcome our challenges. As social
workers, we can utilize the empowerment approach with our clients to help them learn about their
strengths and challenges as an individual, in relationships, and in their community.
