See the concept and theory of Humanistic Social Work, promoted especially by Malcome Payne and Petru Stefaroi. You can read the book.Humanistic Social Work: Core Principles in Practice. Chicago: Lyceum, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, by Malcome Payne, or the article Humanistic Paradigm of Social Work or Brief Introduction in Humanistic Social Work. Social Work Review, 1, pp. 161-174, by Petru Stefaroi.
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Essentially, it is a kind of extension of humanistic psychology and therapy in the social work areas and issues, with the mention that the issues approached are not purely psychological or individual but mostly at the social or psychosocial level. So, after psychotherapy, social work is the most important beneficiary of the humanistic psychology's theory and methodology. These have produced a deep reform of the modern social work theory and practice, leading, among others, to the occurrence of a particular theory and methodology: the humanistic social work. Most values and principles of the humanistic social work practice, described by Malcolm Payne in his book Humanistic Social Work: Core Principles in Practice, namely creativity in human life and practice, developing self and spirituality, developing security and resilience, accountability, flexibility and complexity in human life and practice, directly originate from the humanistic psychological theory and humanistic psychotherapy practice. Also, the representation and approach of the client (as human being) and social issue (as human issue) in social work is made from the humanistic psychology position. According to Petru Stefaroi, the way humanistic representation and approach of the client and his personality is represented is, in fact, the theoretical-axiological and methodological foundation of humanistic social work. In setting goals and the intervention activities, in order to solve social/ human problems, there prevail critical terms and categories of the humanistic psychology and psychotherapy, such as: self-actualization, human potential, holistic approach, human being, free will, subjectivity, human experience, self-determination/ development, spirituality, creativity, positive thinking, client-centered and context-centered approach/intervention, empathy, personal growth, empowerment. First, the humanistic and also transpersonal psychologies and therapies bring to humanistic social work the idea of seeking to promote personal growth and self-actualization through our shared human experience.Although it is very important to identify the humanistic psychology as a source of humanistic helping, is not indicated a wholesale transfer of humanistic psychologies or psychotherapies into other forms of helping. This is because psychologies have important disadvantages as a basis for caring and helping practice. They focus only on individual personal development and have been criticized for not recognizing the limitations and barriers that many people face in the societies and communities in which they live. To develop a humanistic social work, we need to balance humanistic psychologies with social ideas about humanity. Here, the importance of the microsociology and humanistic sociology. Key issues, categories and principles of the microsociology and humanistic sociology, such as human relations, face-to-face interaction, interpretive/qualitative analysis, attachment and empathy, micro-level analysis, human behavior, micro-community, everyday human life, human context, microculture, focus on agency have influenced and still influences today the social work theory and practice, having a crucial role, in the emergence of humanistic social work (Petru Stefaroi), as response to the critical, radical, structural and systemic social work, which theoretically originates from macrosociology or mesosociology. This is why, Malcolm Payne and Petru Stefaroi considers, alongside phenomenology and humanistic psychology/ psychotherapy, the microsociology a fundamental theoretical-methodological source of this postmodern and innovative orientation from the contemporary social work, especially of the humanistic social work practice.Bibliography:Payne, M. (2011). Humanistic Social Work: Core Principles in Practice. Chicago: Lyceum, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacmillanStefaroi, P. (2012). Humanistic Paradigm of Social Work or Brief Introduction in Humanistic Social Work. Social Work Review, 1, pp. 161-174.Ellenhorn, R. (1988). Toward a Humanistic Social Work: Social Work for Conviviality, Humanity & Society, Vol. 12, Issue 2, p.166Payne, M. (2005). Modern Social Work Theory (3rd ed.), Chicago: Lyceum Books.Stefaroi, P. (2009). Humanistic Perspective on Customer in Social Work, Social Work Review, 1-2, pp. 9-34.Humanistische Akademie. (1998). Humanistische Sozialarbeit, Berlin: Humanistische Akademie. Series: Humanismus aktuell, H. 3. Jg. 2.
Thomas More's work, particularly his book "Utopia," helped spread humanistic ideas by presenting a fictional society based on principles of equality, social justice, and intellectual freedom. More's work critiqued the political and social structures of his time, encouraging readers to reconsider their own societies and values through a humanistic lens. His writings stimulated discussions and debates on humanist ideals and influenced later thinkers to further explore humanistic concepts.
An explanatory theory in social work seeks to provide an understanding of why certain social issues, behaviors, or phenomena occur. These theories help social workers make sense of complex interactions between individuals and their environments, guiding interventions and practice approaches. Examples of explanatory theories in social work include systems theory, ecological theory, and symbolic interactionism.
Yes, Thomas Hobbes is credited with developing the social contract theory in his work "Leviathan," published in 1651.
The functionalist theory of social stratification believes that it serves as an incentive for people to work hard by rewarding individuals based on their skills and efforts. This theory suggests that the promise of higher social status and rewards motivates individuals to strive for success.
The social system school is socialogically oriented and emphasizes group and indvisual behaviour terms of cultural relationships and then looks at the ways in which these behavioural patters interlock in a miniature social system. These aspects are covered under the behavioural schools of neoclassical theory.
The objectives of social work field practicals include providing students with real-world experience in applying social work theory, techniques, and skills; fostering the development of professional competencies such as communication, assessment, intervention, and evaluation; and enabling students to gain insight into the social issues and challenges faced by clients in various settings. Additionally, field practicals aim to enhance students' self-awareness, cultural competence, and ethical decision-making abilities.
Although both psychoanalytic theory and humanistic psychology have made significant contributions to the field, modern psychology tends to emphasize empirical research and evidence-based practices rather than theoretical frameworks. Many contemporary psychologists integrate aspects of these older theories into their work but often with a more eclectic and client-centered approach.
Structural functionalism is a social theory that examines how institutional arrangements within society function to maintain social order and stability. This theory focuses on the ways in which social institutions work together to ensure the smooth functioning of society as a whole.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a philosopher who wrote about the social contract theory in his work "The Social Contract" (1762).
In social constructivism theory, social work is defined as a collaborative process that aims to promote social change and empower individuals and communities to address systemic issues and enhance well-being. It emphasizes the importance of understanding social context, interactions, and relationships in shaping individuals' experiences and identities, and views social workers as facilitators of this transformative process through dialogue, empathy, and advocacy.