Social Work ASWB Masters Guide
Questions And Answers.
SYSTEMS THEORY -
\A system is a whole comprising component parts that work together. Applied to social
work, systems theory views human behavior through larger contexts, such as members
of families, communities, and broader society. Important to this theory is the concept
that when one thing changes within a system, the whole system is affected.
Systems tend toward equilibrium and can have closed or open boundaries.
Ecomaps and genograms can help to understand system dynamics.
closed system -
\uses up its energy and dies
differentiation -
\becoming specialized in structure and function
entropy -
\closed, disorganized, stagnant, using up available energy
equifinality -
\arriving at the same end from different beginnings
homeostasis -
\steady state
input -
\obtaining resources from the environment that are necessary to attain the goals of the
system
negative entropy -
\exchange of energy and resources between systems that promote growth and
transformation
Open system -
\a system with cross boundary exchange
output -
\product of the system that exports to the enviornment
subsystem -
,\a major component of a system made up of two or more interdependent components
that interact in order to attain their own purposes and the purposes of the system in
which they are embedded
suprasystem -
\an entity that is served by a number of component systems organized in interacting
relationships
throughput -
\ENERGY THAT IS INTEGRATED INTO THE SYSTEM SO IT CAN BE USED BY THE
SYSTEM TO ACCOMPLISH ITS GOALS
FAMILY THEORIES -
\useful in understanding and managing individual problems by determining the extent to
which such problems are related to family issues. A family systems approach argues
that in order to understand a family system, a social worker must look at the family as a
whole, rather than focusing on its members.
not the individuals behaviors but interactions among the members of a group. The basic
rationale is that all parts of the family are interrelated. Further, the family has properties
of its own that can be known only by looking at the relationships and interactions among
all members.
The family systems approach is based on several basic assumptions: -
\Each family is more than a sum of its members. Each family is unique, due to the
infinite variations in personal characteristics and cultural and ideological styles.
A healthy family has flexibility, consistent structure, and effective exchange of
information. The family is an interactional system whose component parts have
constantly shifting boundaries and varying degrees of resistance to change. Families
must fulfill a variety of functions for each member, both collectively and individually, if
each member is to grow and develop.
Families strive for a sense of balance or homeostasis. Negative feedback loops are
those patterns of interaction that maintain stability or constancy while minimizing
change. Negative feedback loops help to maintain homeostasis. Positive feedback
loops, in contrast, are patterns of interaction that facilitate change or movement toward
either growth or dissolution. Families are seen as being goal oriented. The concept of
equifinality refers to the ability
of the family system to accomplish the same goals through different routes. The concept
of hierarchies describes how families organize themselves into various smaller units or
subsystems that are comprised by the larger family system. When the members or
tasks associated with each subsystem become blurred with those of other subsystems,
families have been viewed as having difficulties. For example, when a child becomes
involved in marital issues, difficulties often emerge that require intervention.
Boundaries occur at every level of the system and between subsystems. Boundaries
influence the movement of people and the flow of information into and out of the
system. Some families have very open boundaries where members and others are
allowed to freely come and go without much restriction; in other families, there are tig
, Genograms -
\are diagrams of family relationships beyond a family tree allowing a social worker and
client to visualize hereditary patterns and psychological factors. They include
annotations about the medical history and major personality traits of each family
member. Genograms help uncover intergenerational patterns of behavior, marriage
choices, family alliances and conflicts, the existence of family secrets, and other
information that will shed light on a family's present situation.
Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn. Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide (p. 46).
Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
family therapy approaches -
\treats family as a unified whole; change affects the overall system. The goal is to
interrupt the circular pattern of pathological communication and behaviors and replace it
with a new pattern that will sustain itself without the dysfunctional aspects of the original
pattern.
strategic family therapy -
\creating change in behavior. flexible enough to modify solutions that do not work.
problem resolution altering the feedback cycle.
The social worker's task is to formulate the problem in solvable, behavioral terms and to
design an intervention plan to change the dysfunctional family pattern.
Pretend technique— -
\encourage family members to "pretend" and encourage voluntary control of behavior
First-order changes— -
\superficial behavioral changes within a system that do not change the structure of the
system
Second-order changes— -
\changes to the systematic interaction pattern so the system is reorganized and
functions more effectively
Family homeostasis— -
\families tend to preserve familiar organization and communication patterns; resistant to
change
Relabeling— -
\changing the label attached to a person or problem from negative to positive so the
situation can be perceived differently; it is hoped that new responses will evolve
Paradoxical directive or instruction— -
\prescribe the symptomatic behavior so a client realizes he or she can control it; uses
the strength of the resistance to change in order to move a client toward goals
Questions And Answers.
SYSTEMS THEORY -
\A system is a whole comprising component parts that work together. Applied to social
work, systems theory views human behavior through larger contexts, such as members
of families, communities, and broader society. Important to this theory is the concept
that when one thing changes within a system, the whole system is affected.
Systems tend toward equilibrium and can have closed or open boundaries.
Ecomaps and genograms can help to understand system dynamics.
closed system -
\uses up its energy and dies
differentiation -
\becoming specialized in structure and function
entropy -
\closed, disorganized, stagnant, using up available energy
equifinality -
\arriving at the same end from different beginnings
homeostasis -
\steady state
input -
\obtaining resources from the environment that are necessary to attain the goals of the
system
negative entropy -
\exchange of energy and resources between systems that promote growth and
transformation
Open system -
\a system with cross boundary exchange
output -
\product of the system that exports to the enviornment
subsystem -
,\a major component of a system made up of two or more interdependent components
that interact in order to attain their own purposes and the purposes of the system in
which they are embedded
suprasystem -
\an entity that is served by a number of component systems organized in interacting
relationships
throughput -
\ENERGY THAT IS INTEGRATED INTO THE SYSTEM SO IT CAN BE USED BY THE
SYSTEM TO ACCOMPLISH ITS GOALS
FAMILY THEORIES -
\useful in understanding and managing individual problems by determining the extent to
which such problems are related to family issues. A family systems approach argues
that in order to understand a family system, a social worker must look at the family as a
whole, rather than focusing on its members.
not the individuals behaviors but interactions among the members of a group. The basic
rationale is that all parts of the family are interrelated. Further, the family has properties
of its own that can be known only by looking at the relationships and interactions among
all members.
The family systems approach is based on several basic assumptions: -
\Each family is more than a sum of its members. Each family is unique, due to the
infinite variations in personal characteristics and cultural and ideological styles.
A healthy family has flexibility, consistent structure, and effective exchange of
information. The family is an interactional system whose component parts have
constantly shifting boundaries and varying degrees of resistance to change. Families
must fulfill a variety of functions for each member, both collectively and individually, if
each member is to grow and develop.
Families strive for a sense of balance or homeostasis. Negative feedback loops are
those patterns of interaction that maintain stability or constancy while minimizing
change. Negative feedback loops help to maintain homeostasis. Positive feedback
loops, in contrast, are patterns of interaction that facilitate change or movement toward
either growth or dissolution. Families are seen as being goal oriented. The concept of
equifinality refers to the ability
of the family system to accomplish the same goals through different routes. The concept
of hierarchies describes how families organize themselves into various smaller units or
subsystems that are comprised by the larger family system. When the members or
tasks associated with each subsystem become blurred with those of other subsystems,
families have been viewed as having difficulties. For example, when a child becomes
involved in marital issues, difficulties often emerge that require intervention.
Boundaries occur at every level of the system and between subsystems. Boundaries
influence the movement of people and the flow of information into and out of the
system. Some families have very open boundaries where members and others are
allowed to freely come and go without much restriction; in other families, there are tig
, Genograms -
\are diagrams of family relationships beyond a family tree allowing a social worker and
client to visualize hereditary patterns and psychological factors. They include
annotations about the medical history and major personality traits of each family
member. Genograms help uncover intergenerational patterns of behavior, marriage
choices, family alliances and conflicts, the existence of family secrets, and other
information that will shed light on a family's present situation.
Apgar PhD LSW ACSW, Dr. Dawn. Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide (p. 46).
Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
family therapy approaches -
\treats family as a unified whole; change affects the overall system. The goal is to
interrupt the circular pattern of pathological communication and behaviors and replace it
with a new pattern that will sustain itself without the dysfunctional aspects of the original
pattern.
strategic family therapy -
\creating change in behavior. flexible enough to modify solutions that do not work.
problem resolution altering the feedback cycle.
The social worker's task is to formulate the problem in solvable, behavioral terms and to
design an intervention plan to change the dysfunctional family pattern.
Pretend technique— -
\encourage family members to "pretend" and encourage voluntary control of behavior
First-order changes— -
\superficial behavioral changes within a system that do not change the structure of the
system
Second-order changes— -
\changes to the systematic interaction pattern so the system is reorganized and
functions more effectively
Family homeostasis— -
\families tend to preserve familiar organization and communication patterns; resistant to
change
Relabeling— -
\changing the label attached to a person or problem from negative to positive so the
situation can be perceived differently; it is hoped that new responses will evolve
Paradoxical directive or instruction— -
\prescribe the symptomatic behavior so a client realizes he or she can control it; uses
the strength of the resistance to change in order to move a client toward goals
