1. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing A Multidimensional Framework for Assessing Social Functioning HBSE-I, Ch. 1 Unit 1 Seminar

2. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Case Studies Case A – El Centro –Dysfunctional public agency that promotes English literacy in the Latino community Case B – Jean Davis –Disturbed young woman having difficulties in college Case C – Jeff Johnson –Man with a history of sexually abusing children Case D – Tim Lad –Child with behavioral problems in school

3. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing One-Dimensional Case Explanations Medical approach Psychodynamic approach Learning approach Social / group / community / institutional / organizational approaches Strength and normatively-based approaches We cannot understand human behavior by isolating the internal variables of people from the external variables in their environment

4. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing The Limits of One Dimensional Approaches What is the medical approach? “Disease” vs. “illness” Is the medical approach appropriate for social workers? Disorders are a part of the human experience. (e.g., asthma, diabetes, anorexia, depression) The limits of medical approaches when applied to social problems and social issues

5. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Learning Approaches Biology cannot explain many aspects of social life Most similarities in social behavior can be attributed to learning processes Some individual differences are explained in part by genetics, temperament, and other constitutional factors

6. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Strengths Based Approaches The assumptions of the strengths perspective in social work There are clear differences between this approach and problem solving approaches This approach also has important limitations What are some of the risk with only using a strengths perspective in the assessment process?

7. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing System Perspectives Multi-causality Interdependence of systems The fallacies of reductionism The fallacies associated with ignoring the environment The limits of person centered and environment centered theories

8. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing The Importance of Theory in Understanding Human Behavior The relationship between theory and assessment What is theory? The biopsychosocial approach –Dimensions: biophysical, psychological, social –System of biopsychosocial functioning –Systems of organized in hierarchy of levels –State of interaction with other living systems and non-living components of the physical environment

9. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Multidimensional Framework Biophysical dimension Psychological dimension Social dimension Biopsychosocial interaction

10. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Culture and Adaptation Humans are not limited to psychological and biological modes of adaptation to the demands of the environment Our developmental flexibility is dependent on the flexibility of our institutions and our cultural heritage Culture matters to social workers for many different reasons besides understanding processes of adaptation

11. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Social Workers and the Social Environment What is the social environment? The social environment limits the life course A fundamental aim of this course is examining how the social environment places limits on life course outcomes

12. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Case and Situation Conceptualizations Hypotheses formulation –Multidimensional framework –Assessment of strengths and weaknesses Developing cases from various sources Consider also a person’s spirituality

13. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Social Functioning Roles are a critical element in assessing social functioning Roles and the person Differences between social positions and roles Roles and needs

14. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Types of Role Problems Family roles Other interpersonal roles Occupational roles Special life situation roles

15. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing The Person-in-Environment (PIE) System Designed to assess problems in social functioning Common system of classification (4 factors) –Social-role problems –Environmental problems –Mental disorders –Physical disorders

16. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Stress and Coping The definition of stress Physical responses to stress Psychological and emotional responses Problem focused coping Emotion-focused coping Personal moderating factors Social resources as moderating factors

17. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Issues of Personality and Change Freud assumed that personality is essentially formed by age 7 The continuity versus change controversy Processes for maintaining continuity: a) Cumulative continuity a) Cumulative continuity b) Self-selection b) Self-selection

18. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Assumptions about change Developmental plasticity Funnel theory The two styles in the Life Span Tradition First, the focus on behaviors, dispositions, skills, and traits over time Second, how functions or traits compare in one stage of development with another stage

19. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Assumptions About the Life Course Life patterns and environmental pathways Cohort effects on observed changes Changes in institutions Historical contributions to changes in life patterns An institution of socialization

20. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Life Course Definitions TransitionsTrajectory Turning point Normative-age graded influences Normative-history graded influences Cohort or period effects

21. ©2010, Cengage Learning, Brooks/ Cole Publishing Development and Prevention Primary prevention Secondary prevention Tertiary prevention