Understanding Social Work
Article
Understanding Social Work in the History of Ideas
Research on Social Work Practice
22(5) 468-480
ª The Author(s) 2012
Reprints and permission: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1049731512441262 http://rsw.sagepub.com Haluk Soydan1
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this article is to present a theoretical frame of reference for the study and assessment of social work from the perspective of a history of ideas. Method: The study employed an analysis of primary and secondary historical sources.
Results: Social work as a practice and research field is embedded in the genesis of modern social science as developed by the
Scottish School of thinking, and organized practice for the betterment of life conditions of individuals, …show more content…
From the viewpoint of a history of ideas, this is generated by two historical events: the emergence of scientific analysis of society during the second half of the 18th century and the application of scientific social analysis and prognosis as instruments of action for social change.
To approach how social work as a practice can be grounded in a social science tradition, I have used Eriksson’s study
(1988) of the origins of social science. In his account of the origins of scientific social analysis, I find roots of, and a scientific basis for, social work. In those thinkers who first developed scientific social analysis, I also find the idea of the ‘‘spirit of human progress,’’ which is of importance to social work as a practice and as scientific activity. It is against this background and in my analysis of social work that it can be claimed that social work consists in three components: practical …show more content…
1)
By provision of certain services and material resources and by psychologically therapeutic supports and counsel, casework modifies either the problem experienced in the individual case or the person’s modes of coping with it or both. The aim of casework is to restore or reinforce or refashion the social functioning of individuals and their families who are having trouble with person-to-person or person-to-circumstance encounters.
(Perlman, 1965, p. 607)
In later definitions, there is a shift of focus in social work.
Social work began to be understood as two-way communication between social worker and client, weakening or dissipating the earlier view of the client as an object. There is increased emphasis on the interaction between the individual and their social environment. The definition presented by Gitterman and
Germain (1976) may be considered representative of the prevailing view:
Social workers focus on problems in living which fall into three areas: (1) problems and needs associated with tasks involved in life transitions; (2) problems and needs associated with tasks in using and influencing elements of the environment; and, (3) problems and needs associated with interpersonal
Understanding Social Work in the History of Ideas
Research on Social Work Practice
22(5) 468-480
ª The Author(s) 2012
Reprints and permission: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1049731512441262 http://rsw.sagepub.com Haluk Soydan1
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this article is to present a theoretical frame of reference for the study and assessment of social work from the perspective of a history of ideas. Method: The study employed an analysis of primary and secondary historical sources.
Results: Social work as a practice and research field is embedded in the genesis of modern social science as developed by the
Scottish School of thinking, and organized practice for the betterment of life conditions of individuals, …show more content…
From the viewpoint of a history of ideas, this is generated by two historical events: the emergence of scientific analysis of society during the second half of the 18th century and the application of scientific social analysis and prognosis as instruments of action for social change.
To approach how social work as a practice can be grounded in a social science tradition, I have used Eriksson’s study
(1988) of the origins of social science. In his account of the origins of scientific social analysis, I find roots of, and a scientific basis for, social work. In those thinkers who first developed scientific social analysis, I also find the idea of the ‘‘spirit of human progress,’’ which is of importance to social work as a practice and as scientific activity. It is against this background and in my analysis of social work that it can be claimed that social work consists in three components: practical …show more content…
1)
By provision of certain services and material resources and by psychologically therapeutic supports and counsel, casework modifies either the problem experienced in the individual case or the person’s modes of coping with it or both. The aim of casework is to restore or reinforce or refashion the social functioning of individuals and their families who are having trouble with person-to-person or person-to-circumstance encounters.
(Perlman, 1965, p. 607)
In later definitions, there is a shift of focus in social work.
Social work began to be understood as two-way communication between social worker and client, weakening or dissipating the earlier view of the client as an object. There is increased emphasis on the interaction between the individual and their social environment. The definition presented by Gitterman and
Germain (1976) may be considered representative of the prevailing view:
Social workers focus on problems in living which fall into three areas: (1) problems and needs associated with tasks involved in life transitions; (2) problems and needs associated with tasks in using and influencing elements of the environment; and, (3) problems and needs associated with interpersonal