Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model A framework and language that provides a method for examining settings at different levels and interactions between them. The basis is that individuals live within nested social systems. Individual/Microsystem – family, work, classroom, workplace Mesosystem – interactions between microsystems Exosystem – formal/informal structures that do not contain the individual Macrosystem – patterns of culture/subculture

Victim Blaming The expert-patient model of helping seeks to identify and correct the deficits within people. Victim blaming sees the person as responsible for their problems even though it results from social conditions. Victim blaming is not a conscience attempt to downgrade people but comes from a genuine desire to do good. It still exists and is very difficult to combat.

What were you doing in a strange part of town? What were you doing out at night? What did you expect with the way you were dressed? You should have known better.

Steps to Blaming the Victim 1.Identify a social problem 2.Study those affected by the problem, identify differences as a consequence of deprivation and injustice 3.Define the difference as the cause of the social problem 4.Assign a bureaucrat to invent a program to correct the problem by changing the victim.

Helping the Victim Four models of helping are still focused at the individual level: 1.Moral model – responsible for causing and solving the problem 2.Enlightenment model –blamed for cause but not responsible for solution 3.Medical model – responsible for neither, experts treat the problem 4.Compensatory model – not blamed for problem but are responsible for solution – direct energy to problem solving

Dynamics of Victim Blaming Attribution theory – ideas about the causes of behavior Dispositional - personal qualities Situational - environmental causes of behaviors Fundamental attribution error - belief that people behave the way they do because of who they are

Dynamics (cont’d) Role theory – individuals exist in relation to other individuals Role status determines behaviors Ascribed status – biosocial characteristics Achieved status – activities and efforts These are interdependent, ascribed status paving the way for achieved status

Dynamics (cont’d) Labeling theory – roles provide labels that define interpersonal interactions Primary deviance – behavior that violates a social norm Secondary deviance – when systems of social control label us Five factors for labeling: 1.Severity, frequency, or visibility of behavior 2.Low social status, disenfranchised groups 3.Social distance of rule breaker and social control agent 4.Tolerance for deviance within the community 5.Availability of alternative roles and interpretations that can normalize the behavior Community response to primary deviance affects an individual’s life. Social expectations influence future behavior.

Assets vs. Needs Model Needs assessment Focuses on a community’s list of problems, deficits, issues Sees the community as incompetent and in need of external funding Fosters dependency on outside resources and agencies Needs assessment paints a bleak picture Asset assessment Focuses on wisdom and resources Highlights the residents’ ability to solve their own problems and competence to control resources Supports self-sufficiency Looks within the community rather than depending on outside agencies Shows the community in a positive light with the internal resources to address community challenges

Strength vs. Deficit Perspective Looks for external stressorsBlames the victim Public issuesPrivate troubles Handicapping environmentsHandicapped individual Secondary victimization Appreciation of diversityStereotyping, labeling Works with culture for intervention Imposes intervention Assess community assetsAssess community needs Expand opportunitiesBlame the disadvantaged Embrace social changeChange the individual

Why the Deficit Perspective Prevails  The need to feel secure  Defensive attributions  Behavioral self-blame  Maintaining self-esteem through social comparison  Self-interest and humanitarianism  Preserves social order  Absolves government and social institutions of responsibility for system-level problems.  Upholds traditional power imbalances  Allows a consumer-oriented society to thrive. Responsibility hypothesis – blames both Legitimization hypothesis – blames the subordinate  Conservatives maintain power imbalance  Others benefit from status quo  Community, relationships, family, friends are replaced by professional services to help with “personal” problems

Community Competence Commitment Participation Self-Other awareness and clarity of situational differences Articulateness Communication Machinery for facilitating participant interaction and decision making Conflict containment and accommodation Management of relations with the larger society