Theory of Functionalism - Term Paper Example

Outline for Application of a Theory of Social Work within the Aspire Model I. Introduction  A. Assessment phase will be examined II. Theory to understand using a Sociological theory  A. Praxis Intervention model III. Theory to intervene using a social work theory  A. Cognitive therapy IV. Anti discriminatory practice/ anti oppressive practice  A. Analysis of class, gender, and social disadvantage of the client is inherent to praxis intervention. V. Managing risk  A. Contact with Mr. Lucian as well as Mrs. Lucian B. Contact with governmental domestic violence and child protective services VI. Justification for and against why used chosen theories  A. Praxis approach is suitable to establish context B. Cognitive therapy approach is suitable to address problems VII. Research  VIII. Conclusion  Abstract This report will analyze and evaluate the usefulness of functionalism. Based on the case of Mrs. Lucian, the concept of functionalism will be applied together with the assessment stage of ASPIRE modelled when developing social work intervention. Aside from the use of cognitive therapy intervention, this report highly recommends the need for social worker to educate Mrs. Lucian regarding her rights and privileges under the law in domestic violence situations or visit the nearby law enforcement group to discuss the problem with the police to protect Mrs. Lucian and her children from abusive husband. Functionalist Analysis and Cognitive Therapy In the Context of an ASPIRE Model Assessment Student’s Name Student Number Course Name and Number Name of Professor Date of Submission Number of Words: 1,505 Introduction Mrs. Lucian decided to seek professional help from the social service. In relation to the case of Mrs. Lucian, this report will focus on exploring the strengths and weaknesses of functionalism. As part of developing effective social care intervention, this report will integrate the theory of functionalism to make the readers have a better understanding concerning the case of Mrs. Lucian. It is the duty of the social worker to work closely with the client when developing effective action plan that will make Mrs. Lucian easily cope with the social challenges being faced by the client and her children. As explained by Sutton (1992), the assessment phase of the ASPIRE model needs to be implemented before developing and implementing the proposed action plan. Based on the assessment phase of the ASPIRE model, this report will critically analyze how the theory of functionalism can be useful in enabling the social care workers to assess and interpret the given case study. Brief Introduction about the Theory of Functionalism Functionalism is a structural theory which serves as a basis for asking a client to objectify the situation they are currently facing (Holmwood 2005, pp. 87 – 109). According to Jones (2003, p. 38), functionalism analyzes and study the society as a whole based on different structure that works as a system. Under common values, functionalism would normally give emphasis on objective observation of social relationships between the client and other people that surrounds the client (Brym and Lie 2007, p. 13). One of the strengths of a functionalist intervention model is that the use of this theory focuses on searching for ways on how the social care workers could reach social equilibrium (Brym and Lie 2007, p. 14). To maintain a healthy and harmonious family life, the personal interests of each of the family members should be well integrated and in equilibrium. As an active member of the society, the ability of the family members to stabilize their familial relationship could make the family as a whole function well. The theory of functionalism focuses on analyzing how people functions within a society based on social structure like family, education, and religion among others. In line with this, Isajiw (2002, p. 10) explained that it is important to solve familial dysfunction because of the interdependent phenomena that could arise from family-related problems. Since problems within the family circle could negatively affect the emotional, cognitive and psychological growth of the children, sociologists under functionalism strongly believe that familial dysfunction could lead to social dysfunction related to high rate of crimes and unemployment rate. The weakness of using this model includes the negative consequences associated with focusing too much on harmonious nature of a given society. For this reason, the use of functionalism theory will not make social care workers able to see and realize that there are some groups within the society who are less advantageous as compared to others in terms of working class (Jones 2003, p. 51). Likewise, functionalism does not give the social care workers adequate explanation behind the social changes that may take place in the case of Mrs. Lucian (Jones 2003, p. 50). According to Jones (2003, p. 50), functionalists studies “the existence of institutionalized patterns of behaviour and belief in terms of the good effects these have for the social system in which they are found”. Since functionalism give emphasis on the influence of overall social and economic structures, the use of this theory can be less impersonal when assessing the specific needs of the social worker’s client (ibid). Application of Functionalism Theory in the Case of Mrs. Lucian Despite the weaknesses associated with the use of functionalism theory in solving the case of Mrs. Lucian, the process of gathering objective context of her relationship and familial problems will provide the social care worker with a good starting point when designing intervention plan for the client (Holmwood 2005, pp. 87 – 109). For social workers to be able to effectively guide the client in searching for ways on how Mrs. Lucian can be more contented with life, it is necessary for both parties to be more objective when identifying all factors that could cause Mrs. Lucian to become discontented in her relationship with the husband. When assessing the familial situation of Mrs. Lucian, it is necessary that the social worker to consider not only the family in context but also the strength of the family relationship, the family power structure, decision maker in the family, the roles of each member of the family, communication among the family members and the family life cycle to avoid coming up with ineffective social care action plan (Hepworth et al. 2010, p .247). Mr. Lucian’s drinking problem is the main reason that triggers a series of familial problem. Therefore, the social worker should advice Mrs. Lucian to talk to her husband about seeking professional help concerning his excessive alcohol intake. Through proper counselling and guidance, Mrs. Lucian could prevent the negative emotional, psychological and cognitive impact on their children (Robertson 2010). Since Mrs. Lucian is taking mild anti-depressant drug, the social worker could suggest the application of cognitive therapy since this therapeutic approach is effective in reducing stress and anxiety caused by depression (Alder, Abraham and van Teijlingen 2009, p. 113; Beck 2001; Deffenbacher et al. 2000). By listening to the client’s concerns, the social worker could guide the client in the reformation of self-destructive thought patterns (Beck 2000). Anti-Discriminatory Practice/Anti-Oppressive Practice Inherent to functionalist approach, social worker should consider the social class, gender, race, cultural background, and other related social factors that may violate the anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive law (Plank 2009, p. 72). By doing so, the pitfalls and obstacles presented by the social structures of oppression and discrimination will be made clear (Bourdieu 2003; Reynolds, Turner, and Haslam 2000; Bourdieu and Wacquant 1992). Eventually, social worker will be in a good position to design action plans that respect the practice of anti-discrimination and anti-oppressive. Managing Risk When managing risk, social worker should be aware that Mr. Lucian’s ongoing binge drinking and its accompanying erratic and abusive behaviour will continue to intrude on Mrs. Lucian and the children’s life. Likewise, the social worker should consider the possibility that Mr. Lucian’s abusive actions may escalate into domestic violence (Markowitz 2000). This will complicate the process of helping Mrs. Lucian to come to grips with her downward spiral of negativity. To solve the problem, it will be worth the effort for the social worker to approach the case manager with the suggestion that assessment and intervention be arranged for Mr. Lucian as well. In the mean time, social worker should make Mrs. Lucian aware of her rights and privileges under the law in domestic violence situations as a way to protect Mrs. Lucian and her children from the possibility of physical attack (Sutton 1992). It is also possible to suggest that Mrs. Lucian should visit the nearby law enforcement group to discuss the problem with the police (ibid). Eventually, social worker should provide emotional support to the client to increase her ability to develop her ability to cope with stress. These strategies will help increase Mrs. Lucian and her children’s sense of security during Mr. Lucian’s unruly and abusive visits. Justification for and against why used chosen theories Functionalism theory provides sociologists with a macro view on how the society function as a whole. Given that the theory of functionalism suggests the interrelatedness of social structure (Holmwood 2005, pp. 87 – 109; Jones 2003, p. 38), the case of Mrs. Lucian provided us a clear insight on how institutional structure such as in the case of the health care professionals and the social care workers could provide assistance to members of each family when solving family-related problems. Research The research conducted for this paper consisted primarily of readings in cognitive therapy and functionalist analysis of relationship. The latter suggested readings in the sociological approaches of critical theory in general. Conclusion Theory of functionalism enables sociologists to have the idea that social institutions that are available within the society are interrelated with one another. Given that the case of Mrs. Lucian involves the negative consequences of her husband’s drinking habit, seeking the professional help coming from psychologists could enable the family as a whole solve the on-going familial crisis. Given that Mrs. Lucian is already depressed with the current situation, her decision to contact the social workers made her able to release and effectively manager her stress. *** End *** References Alder, B., Abraham, C., and van Teijlingen, E. (2009). Psychology and Sociology Applied to Medicine. 3rd Edition. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. Beck, J. (2000). Questions and Answers about Cognitive Therapy. About Cognitive Therapy. Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research. Beck, J. (2001). Why Distinguish Between Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and research. The Beck Institute Newsletter. Bourdieu, P. (2003). Participant Objectivation. 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John (eds), The psychology of the social self. NJ: Erlbaum. Read More