USA vs. UK
Contributing Authors/Theories
Why the 1970s?
Developments in Systems Theory
Important Definitions
100
Many introductory texts in this country treat ecological theory as a fundamental part of social work ideas.
What is the USA? (pg. 279)
100
This approach includes all the theories in psychology that see human functioning based upon the interaction of drives and forces within the person, particularly unconscious, and between the different structures of the personality.Freud’s psychoanalysis was the original _______ theory, but this approach as a whole includes all theories that were based on his ideas, e.g. Jung (1964), Adler (1927) and Erikson (1950). This theory/approach preceded systems ideas.
What is psychodynamic theory?
100
This argument proposes that ideas which formed systems theory became available in the 1970s and were then incorporated into the body of social work knowledge.
What is the intrinsic argument? (pg. 271)
100
This theory emphasizes adaptation, exchanges with, and fit to the social environment. Many American introductory texts treat this theory as a fundamental part of social work ideas.
What is ecological theory? (pg. 279)
100
A theory that focuses on interactions within and across multiple 'social' systems, which can include the interpersonal system of family and friendship ties, neighborhood system, organizational systems, social policy systems, and social structural systems. This theory emphasizes the role of these systems in contributing to individual and community wellbeing. This theory provides ways of understanding problems and issues; but does not prescribe intervention methods.
What is systems theory?
200
This author from the UK wrote a text called Social Work Practice focuses on the debate between psychodynamic and behavioral theories of practice.
Who is Veronica Coulshed? (pg. 280)
200
This approach attacks the dominance of a psychological basis for social work practice, and is cited as "demonstrating an assumption of reaction against psychodynamic influences in social work methods." This approach developed around the same time as systems ideas.
What is radical social work?
200
This argument suggests that systems theory was taken up in reaction to available theories.
What is the reactive argument? (pg. 271)
200
This type of therapy/theory emerged in the late 1950s from a need for a theoretical framework to expand on individualistic explanations in working with mentally ill people. Early forms were criticized for family-blaming.
What is family therapy? (pg. 283)
200
This is a method that examines how theory becomes influential through the interaction of the influence of groups and interests within a profession, and how those groups use theory to achieve influence.
What is political analysis?
300
Person-in-environment has had almost no influence on social work in this country.
What is the UK? (pg. 279)
300
The late 1960's and early 1970's were a period of theoretical foment in which the dominant psychodynamic theory was under attack. The criticisms cited in the "reactive argument" come from two directions: _______ and ________ standpoints.
What is empiricist and behavioral standpoints?
300
This view proposes that systems theory adds an element to the body of social work knowledge that was not previously available.
What is the developmental view? (pg. 271)
300
Family therapists focus on patterns of _____ in the family system.
What is communication? (pg. 283)
300
This theory sees ecology as a useful metaphor for encouraging social workers to focus on transactions within and across systems and to seek sustainable, not only short-term, change.
What is ecosystems theory?
400
In the UK, systems theory approaches were only adopted (moderately) in this clinical setting.
What is family therapy? (pg. 283)
400
Writing by this author emphasizes the unitary approach, and outlines "functional concepts and operational strategies" of social work from the systems approach.
What is Howard Goldstein (1973)?
400
This view suggests that systems theory became successful in the 1970s and later declined in importance in response to the particular social context in time and place.
What is the contextual view? (pg. 271)
400
Defined by Specht in 1986, this theory/tool applies to a wide range of social relationships and organizations.
What is social support? (pg. 282)
400
This argument proposes that the ideas which formed systems theory became available to social work and were incorporated into the body of social work knowledge.
What is the intrinsic argument?
500
According to Payne, the reason that systems theory’s impact was vastly different in the UK and US can be attributed to…
What is context or contextual explanations? (pg. 284-285)
500
This writing was based primarily on teaching notes, and utilized the ideas of systems theory to specify a generalist model of practice as a system of change agents, client system, target system and action system. Every social worker graduating from schools of social work in the 1970s and 1980s learned how to form an action system and exercise influence based on this text.
What is Pincus and Minahan (1973)?
500
In the conclusion of the article, Payne states that "The differences in the reasons for systems theory's impact in the UK and the USA strongly support the importance of..." this view/explanation.
What is the contextual view? (pg. 284-285)
500
Defined by Specht in 1986, this group is comprised of a specific set of interrelated people. Research in the 1980s and 1990s focused on how this can benefit people with learning disabilities and elderly people.
What is a social network? (pg. 282)
500
This argument suggests that systems theory was taken up in reaction to available theories.
What is the reactive argument?
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