Social Dimensions of Human Behavior

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Social Dimensions of Human Behavior

• Lecture 1 Basic Constructs of Theory

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Quotes on Theory

• Theory is to assessment as assessment is to
  treatment.
• The ability to apply theory to the complexities
  of human behavior and derive an appropriate
  intervention and treatment plan, distinguishes
  the advanced generalist and clinical practitioner
  from the informal helper.
• Theory is what the competent practitioner basis
  his/her biopsychosocial hypothesis on prior to
  clinical and social diagnosis.

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Course Disclaimer (Brooks, 1986)

• If you are expected to be an expert on the
  biological, psychological, social, economic, and
  cultural dimensions of human behavioryou are
  undoubtedly an instructor of Human Behavior in
  the Social Environment.

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Case Studies

• A 45 year old, gay male is diagnosed with HIV
  shortly after finding out that his partner of 10
  years was having an extra relational affair. He
  presents with dysthymia and he begins to ask
  questions such as what is the meaning of life,
  why was I born, and what is the meaning of the
  time I have left?

• A 29 year old women was raped following her 10
  hour shift at the bowling alley. Since the rape
  she presents with feelings of anxiety,
  depression, has stopped going to work, and has
  very little interest in maintaining her home or
  family relationships.

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Case Studies Continued

• A 29 year old man, who has a 15 year history of
  living with paranoid schizophrenia has recently
  experienced the re-emergence of positive
  symptoms. What theoretical framework is
  contraindicated? What theoretical framework is
  most supported by evidenced-based, social work
  practice with this population?

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Purpose of this Course

• To develop a broader understanding of the
  macro-systemic influences upon human behavior and
  how they interact with theory
• To not only understand the basic concepts of
  theory,but to be able to apply various theories
  to human behavior from an advanced generalist and
  clinical perspective
• Syllabus Review

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The Role of Theory in Practice

• Theory helps the social worker answer the
  questions of how and why a person behaves within
  the context environment they exist in
• Context includes
• Biological, physical, psychological,
  socio-cultural, spiritual, economic, political,
  and historical
• Environment includes
• Groups or structures that influence behavior

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Functional or Dysfunctional
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Language Defining Theory

• Paradigms Models
• Paradigms and models are utilized interchangeably
  and usually represent a visual arrangement of two
  or more variables in a graphic form
• Example Freuds Model of of the Mind
  Conscious, Pre-Conscious, Subconscious
• Perspectives
• Emphasizes a particular viewpoint
• Example The Feminist Perspective

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Language Defining Theory II

• Theory
• Constructs/Concepts Fact Theory
• Constructs/Concepts Abstract representations
  and logical descriptions (Qualitative
  Observation)
• Facts Empirically verified/ testable
  observations
• Theory Ordering facts in a meaningful way based
  upon hypothesis
• Tested Hypothesis emerge into Theoretical
  Principles

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Social Constructivism

• Problem with Theory
• Constructs/concepts are often guided by
  moralistic, sociopolitical bias, and norms
  accepted by the social order
• Historically Copernicus
• Modern Issue Homosexuality is labeled either as
  pathology or normative depending on your
  moralistic/ theological worldview
• Constructs lead us to the age old question ofis
  this
• A research driven agenda or agenda driven
  research
• Theory can never be considered purely objective
  due to its ideological basis
• There really is no such thing as a value free
  social science

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Evolution of Theory

• A search for a strong theoretical orientation has
  been a theme throughout the history of social
  work practice
• Most approaches evolved simultaneously, but
  certain themes emerge in the development of
  theoretical base

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Evolution of Theory

• Pre-Theory
• Early attempts to conceptualize practice,
  formulate definitions, and classify interventions
• Mary Richmonds, Social Diagnosis Gordon
  Hamiltons Theory and Practice of Social Case
  Work
• Texts were mostly prescriptive axioms based on
  personal, practice experience and ideologies

• Theory Building
• Frank Bruno (1936) wrote his text, The Theory of
  Social Work
• It is not really a book about social work theory
  per se, but describes the theories that s.w. drew
  upon during this time period
• Argued strongly against a unified theory of
  social work practice

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Evolution of Theory

• Psychodynamic Alliances
• Casework text were heavily based upon the ruling
  theory of the day psychodynamic theory
• There was no attempt to differentiate social work
  from psychodynamic theory on apply it to social
  work practice
• Ego Psychology and Dynamic Case Work (Parad, 1958)

• Clinical Emergence
• Practice theories and models began to develop
  based upon individual practitioner experiences
• These conceptual frameworks, although not meeting
  the definition of theory, provided a framework
  for future theory
• Created dichotomy in practice. You were either
  of this theoretical school or another

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Evolution of Theory

• Theory by Practice
• Group versus case work theory began to emerge
• Family practice and other specialties also begin
  to evolve
• Provided theoretical foundation for the emergence
  of unifying theories

• Theoretic Plurality (1960s)
• Cognitive behavioral, feminist, and
  constructivist schools of theory begin to emerge
• Eventually commonalities and unifying themes of
  theory are sought creating meta-theories
• By 1970s emergency of systems theory, ecological
  frameworks emerged as practice standards
• Current theory, responsible eclecticism

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Theory and Practice

• Thesis responsible, ethical practice needs to
  be built upon strong theory.
• Principle 1
• Theory is essential in predicting and explaining
  behavior.
• What happens if I dont intervene?
• What happens if I do and what is the best
  practice method? If asked, how do I know?

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Theory Practice

• Principle 2
• Theory enables the social work to formulate a
  treatment plan based on assessment and diagnosis
• It eliminates guesswork and impressionistic
  responses, that at times are a result of
  individual countertransference

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Theory Practice

• Principle 3
• Theory allows the social worker to anticipate
  outcomes and speculate about unanticipated
  relationships between variables
• It provides a construct for assessment
• How do I know what I know about this behavior?

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Cautions with Theory

• Theory can be reductionistic and a tool for
  labeling and classifying
• Theory can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If
  a expect neurosis, I see neurosis. It doesnt
  take into account alternative expectations
• Theory as dogma(Group Think Phenomena)
• Politicization of TheoryAgency manifestos of
  theory We begin to serve the theory rather then
  the client

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Choosing a Best Practice Theory

• Relevance to an ecological framework on the
  Micro, Mezzo, Macro levels of practice
• Does the theory support social values and ethics
• What is the theoretical framework based upon
• Determinism Victims of circumstance lack of
  choice
• Reductionism The most simple explanation is the
  absolute explanation
• Ontological Issues What is the nature of man?
• Epistemological Issues Positivism versus
  Constructivism
• Research Qualitative, Quantitative, Rigor of
  Research
• Relevance to field of practice

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Theory Practice Exercise

• Using what you know of theorywhat is the best
  theory to use in each practice setting and why?
• Case management with a developmentally disabled
  adult
• Psychotherapy with a developmentally disabled
  adult
• Case management with a client with mid-stage
  Alzheimers Disease
• Supportive counseling for a client dying of
  cancer in early-stage Alzheimers Disease
• Group therapy with an adult male group, all who
  have a history of child molestation?
• A support group for children who have been
  molested
• Remember, theory explains our methods and
  interventions