Social Case Work Theoreis

I) Psycho-social Theory

Psycho-social theory was propounded by Hamilton. She published an article on “The Underlying Philosophy of Social Case Work” in 1941 in which the word ‘diagnostic’ was used to express psycho-social problems. In this approach, diagnosis and treatment are directed toward person in situation. The client is seen in the context of his/her interactions and transactions with the outer world. For proper diagnosis and treatment client’s social context must be understood and mobilized. Treatment must be differentiated according to the need of the client. Three stages are involved in psycho-social approach.

Psycho-social Study

 Social Caseworker starts his/her work with the knowledge of the needs of the client. He/she on the basis of the needs, assesses what kind of help his/her needs. He/she also finds out the perception of the client about his/her own problem, and his/her desires about the kind of assistance to be provided. He/she, then, himself/herself tries to arrive at his/her own understanding of what the client’s trouble is, what factors contribute to it and what type of service is needed to improve his/her ego strength and adaptability.

II)   Behaviour Modification Theory

Behaviour modification theory is based upon the principles of learning and conditioning propounded by Pavlov and Thorndike. The researches of B.F. Skinner helped to develop the behaviour modification approach further. The behaviouristic theory viewed problem as essentially the result of a failure to learn necessary adaptive behaviours and competencies and/or the learning of ineffective and maladaptive behaviours. It may happen due to conflicting situations that require the individual to make discriminations or decisions of which he/she feels incapable. The maladjusted person has learned faulty coping patterns, which are being maintained by some kind of reinforcement, and he/ she has failed to learn needed.

competencies for coping with the problem of living. Behaviour modification theory is based upon the principles of learning and conditioning propounded by Pavlov and Thorndike. The researches of B.F. Skinner helped to develop the behaviour modification approach further. The behaviouristic theory viewed problem as essentially the result of a failure to learn necessary adaptive behaviours and competencies and/or the learning of ineffective and maladaptive behaviours. It may happen due to conflicting situations that require the individual to make discriminations or decisions of which he/she feels incapable. The maladjusted person has learned faulty coping patterns, which are being maintained by some kind of reinforcement, and he/ she has failed to learn needed competencies for coping with the problem of living.

III-The Problem Solving Theory

This theory was propounded by Helen Harris Perlman in the  book “Social Case Work : A Problem Solving Process”. This model stands firmly upon the recognition that life is an outgoing problem encountering – problem solving process. Every person is involved every time in coping with his/her problems. Sometimes he/she is capable of coping and sometimes fails to resolve the crisis situation. Through problem solving process individual or family is helped to cope with or resolve some difficulty that he/she is currently finding difficult to solve. Thus the primary goal of problem solving model is to help a person cope as effectively as possible with such problems in carrying social tasks.

In the initial phase the attempts are made to engage the client with his/her problems and to do something about it in a working relationship with the agency. The problem solving process starts at once, from the first movement with treating the person.

IV -Role Theory

Role is mainly behavioural concept. Role may be seen as a product of an interplay between

1.    individual member’s needs and resources,

2.    The solution in the social network, and

3.     the forces acting on the social network from the environment. When there are internal or external difficulties, which are beyond the capacity of an individual, he/she feels the problem and fails to perform his/her role.

Social Caseworker with such clients suggests new ideas and ways of facing the problem and suggests solution for a difficulty that the external factors have encountered. He/she offers facts, which relate to his/ her own experience for understanding the problem. He/ she gives suggestions in terms of examples, and tries to explain how suggestion would work if followed by the client.  He/she mediates between other members, attempts to reconcile disagreements, and relieves tension in conflict situation.

Reference.

1. Biestek, Felic P (1957), The Case Work Relationship, Loyola University Press, Chicago, Illinois.
2. Friedlander, W.A. (1958), Concept and Methods of Social Work; Prentice Hall, MC, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
3. Basics of Social Casework 45 Hamilton, Gorden (1956), Theory and Practice of Social Case Work; Columbia University Press, New York.
4. Hollis, F.  (1972), Casework the Psycho-Social Therapy, Random House, New York.
5. Perlman, H.H. (1957), Social Case Work : A Problem Solving Process, Chicago.
6. Richmond, Mary (1922), What is Social Case Work, The Russell Sage Foundation, New York.
7. Sheafor, B.W. & Others (1997), Techniques and Guidelines for Social Work Practice, Allyn and Bacon, London.
8. Trevithick, P. (2000), Social Work Skills : A Practice Handbook; Open University Press, Philadelphia.
9. Vass, A.A. (1996), Social Work Competences, Sage Publications, London.