Sanchez Case Analysis Social Work is the study of people and how they interact with the systems in their environment and other people. Social Workers use theories, sets of ideas or concepts, of human behavior and apply them within their professional social work ethics to the problems facing clients in order to help them gain balance in the systems in their lives. Theories help to organize knowledge enabling social workers to help make sense of problems. There are many different theories. They have been grouped into broad categories called theoretical lenses (Rogers, A. 2013). This paper will use the Sanchez family case study to discuss, analyze, and assess two members of the Sanchez family, Alejandro and Gloria Sanchez, through the application of one theory each from four theoretical lenses: Person-in-Environment perspective, Biopsychosocial Lens, Sociocultural Lens, and the Social Change Lens. The Sanchez Family Hector …show more content…
When all of your systems, such as family, work, and school are working well together, then the individual systems are working together as one larger system. The theories under the Person-In-Environment lens are able to be applied to both individuals and environments (Rogers, A. 2013). There are five theories discussed under the person-in-environment lens. The micro-mezzo-macro approach looks at people in their environment on an individual (micro), small groups (mezzo), and large group or societal level (macro). Ecological theory looks at the dynamics between people in their environment and how they perceive their situation. The strengths perspective focuses on empowering people and motivating them by helping them find their skills and strengths (Rogers, A. 2013). All five person-in-environment theories would work to assess both Alejandro and Gloria. Biopsychosocial was chosen as the best fit for Alejandro and systems theory for
First of all, through this assignment, I have learned that a theory is an interrelated set of concepts and propositions, organized into deductive systems that explain relationships among different aspects. It is an overall explanation of the person in environment configuration, and helps explain why a problem is occurring. It will also provide a social worker with a set of ideas that will help the social worker get a better understanding of the problem. In addition, there are many different theories, and perspectives that are used in the social work field to empower people and to promote a positive society for all. This particular case is associated with bio-psychosocial approach
Using person in environment lens with ecological theory. According to Rogers, the ecological theory is “a theory that explains human development by describing aspects of the individual, the environment, and the interaction between the two” (Rogers, 2013). Using the ecological theory, the first step is microsystem which he immediate environment, her home. What role does Gloria feel like she plays in her home? The mesosystem would include her environment and interactions with people. Look at her relationship with her family, church, and her close relationship with her sister Carmen. The exosystem will include Leo’s workplace, and community agencies that can help Gloria. With the macrosystem we will have cultural factors, religious influences, Latina culture, societal expectation, and the fear she has of laws regarding her husband possibly getting deported.
Social Workers are very important to everyday life. They are the ones that help people in need when they have nobody else to turn too. Also, they provide resources and better understanding of predicaments that you could be experiencing. I will reflect on how the class has affected me, my own experiences and how some theories have connected to my life experiences, and lastly, if the class helped toward my major. This class is important for someone that wants to become a social worker and wants to learn about the different theories used. Also, learning about me during this process of completing this class is fun and a way to see if the social work profession is right for me. There was many theories explained throughout this class but many will not be said because it wasn’t the main points that I was trying to get across. There are two tools that are used that can help a social worker organize a client’s life: Bubble map and Briefcase exercise. There are so many different ways a social worker can help a client deal with their problems and come up with a solution. It is up to that social worker to identify the client’s problem and see what theory fits.
Still, this model presents a holistic, systems approach and identifies the interaction as well as influence of various dimensions of the biological, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual environment on the individual.
Bronfenbrenner’s theory explains five distinct but related environmental settings in a child’s life that could be influential in promoting the best outcomes and he explains how individual and their family systems are influenced in their development, how relationships function, and how interactions take place. Bronfenbrenner’s five systems: ”(Bigner & Gerhardt, 2008).
The use of social work theories in the professional literature is rather vague. The concepts, frames of reference, practice models and philosophical propositions have been termed as theories (Trevithick, 2008). However, to effectively respond to clients’ needs and demands, professional social workers are equipped with a wide range of knowledge- social work primary mission is to help clients meet their needs and enhance their well-being. Consequently, what constitutes social work knowledge base remain a major concern and a controversial issue (Trevithick, 2008). Nonetheless, according to Srinivasan Rengasamy (2001), theories in social work are important for several reasons. The theory provides a way of making sense of complexity and uncertainty. Likewise, theories can ensure accountability and mark of a profession (Rengasamy,
Theory has been defined as, “an organized set of assumptions, beliefs, or ideas about particular phenomena in the world (Teater, 2015).” Theory is used to understand and explain possible and perceived instances, behaviors and outcomes (Teater, 2015). Social workers use theory in order to understand, as well as, introduce interventions and solutions to their client’s individual situation. It is important for students entering into the social work profession to have a base knowledge of theories, with basic understanding of their similarities and differences to appropriately apply theory in practice. The theories which will be focused on in this paper include Systems Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Theory.
When discussing the interactions within different systems which were discussed in Chapter 1 of the text, you a left with complex yet systematic avenues to which an individual’s development can be affected. In order to fully understand the interactions of individuals on a day to day basic, it is imparative that we first understand that people and everything around them are in constant change. Rather those changes are internal or external, we must be able to identify these systems, which intel will help us with the understanding of human development.
different types of systems,small and large but they all share common features. “Systems at all levels are potential clients and targets for change (DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012, p.36).” “In order for a social worker to organize their perceptions of a clients situation, they must apply theories, perspectives, models and orientations (DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012, p.23).” “For a a generalist social worker, a framework for their practice interweaves personal and social work values, theoretical perspectives on human behavior and orientations to change (DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012, p.26).” “The choices made about theory determine whether social workers
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW, 2008) defines social work as a helping profession in which individuals, groups and/or communities are assisted by social workers to enhance or restore their ability to function. NASW also notes that: social work practice consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and standards in helping people obtain services; providing counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services; as well as participating in relevant legislative processes.
Papalia, D. E., Feldman, R. D., & Martorell, G. (2011). Experience Human Development. New York, US: McGraw Hill
When becoming a social worker, psychological theories and concepts can benefit greatly in order to improve professional standards. These theories and concepts include the cognitive perspective and psychodynamic perspective.
In Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory, there are five systems that ultimately influence an individual. The first system is the microsystem, which consists of the people who have direct contact to an individual. In my own life, my immediate family consists of my mother and I. I am an only child to my mother and since my mother and my father have been separated since I was a baby, he has not been part of my microsystem. In addition, I am also a student at CCP. I have a network of friends whom I keep in close contact with. The people that I encounter at home, school, and work have direct contact with me and thus, they are part of my microsystem.
There are many frameworks of social work which can use to examine the way social work is practiced and theorized. One of these frameworks is Payne’s model. Payne’s model asserts that there are three distinct theories of social work, a field which he described as, “…the profession of social work claims to help people in their personal & interpersonal lives in order to achieve social improvement & to adjust social change to benefit people interpersonally,” (Payne, 2005, p. ix). The three views Payne describes are the therapeutic (reflexive-therapeutic), social order (individualist-reformist), and transformational (socialist-collectivist). The therapeutic view simply put, is working to help the client
A social worker works with individuals and their families, their aim is to help improve and empower the service user to improve outcomes in their lives. Social work is a profession that is based around people, from babies through to the older people.