Understanding how theory informs social work practice is an area that students can often find challenging. This book will help students understand how theory impacts and informs social work practice across a range of contexts and with different service user groups. It starts off by briefly setting the context, introducing students to the importance of social work theory and its development over the years, before moving on to look at different types of theory across 17 tightly structured chapters. These cover a range of psychological theories, sociological theories, ethics and moral philosophies, political theories and ideologies, and organisational theories.
Introduction
Introduction to Social Work Theory
PART ONE - Psychological Theories
Psychoanalysis, psychodynamics and social work practice: the conflicted 'self'
Behaviourism and the science of control
Cognitive psychology and social work
Humanistic psychology
Human growth and development
PART TWO - Sociological Theories
Social constructivism and social work
General systems and ecological theories
Feminism and Social Work
Reflexivity
PART THREE - Ethics and Moral Philosophies
Deontology
Utilitarianism
Virtue Ethics
Ethics of Care
Radical Ethics
PART FOUR - Political Theories and Ideology
Radical Social Work
Five Models of Disability
Anti-Discriminatory Practice
PART FIVE - Organisational Theories
Classical and modern management theory
Organisational culture
Conclusion
