The concept of Person-In-Environment - Assignment Example

Define the concept of Person-In-Environment. How did this concept evolve from earlier understanding? The Person-In-Environment (PIE) refers to a holistic, four factor categorization mechanism utilized by social workers to illustrate and code social functioning challenges having similar descriptors. The four factors cover problems and strengths of individuals in the perspective of social environment, physical health, mental health and roles in relationship with other people. The notion of PIE is founded on the assumption that an individual and his or her conduct cannot be clearly understood without assessing the environment in which he or she lives. Harriet Bartlett was the pioneer force behind modernization of Person-In-Environment construct in 1970s, when she identified PIE as a common domain for social work. She introduced a third factor, “interaction”, explaining its significance in linking person and environment. Bartlett built upon Werner Boehm’s 1950s dual construct on social work. Jim Karl and Wandrei later developed PIE construct through various levels. 2. What is the strengths perspective? How does it relate to the empowerment perspective, and how does it differ from traditional perspectives of social problems? The strength perspective provides social work providers with a work mechanism that emphasizes on strengths, potential and capabilities of a client as opposed to problems and shortcomings. It leads to development of problem-solving abilities among other life gains. Strength perspective encompasses the idea of wholeness and empowerment, which also looks at the ability of individuals rather than weaknesses. While strength perspective focuses on positive aspects of clients, traditional perspectives focus on the pessimistic side or problems of clients. 3. What is involved in micro practice? Contrast it with macro practice. Describe the historical roots of both. In micro practice, the social worker involves directly with specific clients or families in solving existing problems. On the other hand, macro practice focuses on large scale interventions that affect the whole community as opposed to specific clients or households. The history of macro and micro social work practice dates back to 19th century social reforms. Macro practice evolved from the development of social institutions aimed at serving the needs of the general population. Presently, micro and macro social work seems to be more stable than it was back in 1970s through to 1990s. 4. Describe the unique focus of social work as a profession. The idea of social functioning lays the ground for comprehending the distinctive focus of social work and keeps social work unique from other supportive professions. The ability of an individual to complete activities which are essential to satisfy his fundamental needs and to execute his primary social duties in the society is referred to as positive social function. The social roles of an individual in the society shift as he or she grows up. Despite the fact that social work profession is oriented towards social functioning of all society members, it tends to give more attention to the most vulnerable members of the society. 5. List and define five major categories of social work services. Some of the main categories of social work are: Indirect service: this is where social wok practitioners assist people to solve and manage their life problems. Clinical social work: practitioner diagnoses and treats mental, emotional as well as behavioral disorders. Family Counseling Services : social workers provide counseling services to spouses who are having rough time in their marriage and are struggling to maintain their relationship[. Healthcare services: social workers in this category help patients to cope with traumatic changes that may result from serious illnesses. Substance abuse counseling: the practitioners here help drug addicts to rehabilitate and chose positive path towards quitting undesirable behavior. Public Health, Policy and Planning: a social worker in this category may assist people to crucial decisions regarding insurance or medical help. 6. Idendify and discuss three social work treatment models and/or approaches to treatment. The mental health Recovery Model: this is a treatment model that involves designing a service treatment setting where clients are thee main decision makers about how they want to be treated. This model is distinct from conventional treatment models where patients are issued with instructions on what is expected of them. The model is founded on the idea of strengths and empowerment. The main tenet of the model is that individuals with psychological illness take great control and plans in their lives if they can have greater authority and preference in their treatment. The task-centered model: this model was developed by William J. Reid and Laura Epstein. The model budded from temporary psychodynamic model of early 1960s, which were aimed at providing short intervention. The model assumed an electric, yet experimental methodology. The model focuses on problems and behaviors like behavioral model and is utilized in a short service. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): this is one of the widely used types of psychotherapeutic interventions. The model is based on the assumption that cognitive processes are open and can be identified, peoples’ thoughts and beliefs mediate their information synthesis, thus affecting emotional and behavioral reactions and finally, maladaptive cognitions may be targeted deliberately and altered in a balanced way. 7. Name five social work practice settings and professional job opportunities for generalist social work practitioners. Social Work Practice Settings Health Care Facilities Public Welfare Agencies Public and Private Schools Communities Organizations Colleges and Universities Professional Job Opportunities Administrator/Supervisor Clinician Community Practitioner Advanced Researcher Policy Practitioner 8. Define the concept of generalist social work practice. Include a discussion of some of the historical developments that resulted in the emergence of generalist practice. Generalist social work practitioners work with individuals and communities in different social work and host environments. The generalist practitioners perceive clients and their system from strength perspective so that they can identify, support and develop capabilities of all people. Generalists involve in society and organizational development. The history of emergence of generalist social work relates to macro practice, initially referred to as community organization. Previous methods of community organizations included social action, planning and locality establishment. 9. Are social workers more likely to be liberals, conservatives, reactionaries or radicals? Why one or the other? Explain your reasoning. Social workers are more likely to be radicals. This is because they work in very dynamic settings which often require them to rethink their relationship with the government and clients in order to remain effective. 10. Define the terms race and ethnicity. How these are terms similar and how are they different? Race refers to traits of individuals deemed as significant and makes them be treated differently from other groups of people. Ethnicity can be referred to as common cultural practices, viewpoints, and divergences that distinguish a certain group of individuals from others. Both race and ethnicity concern peoples’ similarities and differences. Race is inherited while ethnic difference is learned. Read More