Question 1

Until the 1970s, most theoretical debate in social work focused on various forms of:

Accepted Answer

Until the 1970s, most theoretical debate in social work was centered around psychodynamic theory, which is rooted in the principles of psychoanalysis developed by Freud. This approach focuses on understanding the internal psychological processes and how they influence behavior and relationships.

Question 2

Different writers and editors emphasize different aspects of theory, such as:

Accepted Answer

Writers and editors may emphasize various aspects of theory including theoretical perspectives, the relevance of the theory to specific countries or groups of readers, and the diverse objectives of social work. This comprehensive approach allows for a richer understanding and application of theory in practice.

Question 3

The theories most commonly covered in reviews of theory are:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral theories, along with related theories and some form of humanistic ideas, are commonly covered in reviews of theory due to their widespread application and foundational role in understanding human behavior and guiding therapeutic interventions.

Question 4

The two main approaches to helping practitioners find ways of using the theories available are:

Accepted Answer

Selection and eclecticism are approaches that help practitioners choose and combine different theories to apply in practice, making them the main approaches for using available theories.

Question 5

Persons who believe that the world is orderly; human beings are like objects and behave according to rules; and we can understand the rules that govern them and so apply knowledge to create changes are called:

Accepted Answer

Positivists hold the belief that the world operates according to laws and patterns that can be discovered and understood through scientific methods, including the behavior of human beings. This perspective aligns with the description given, emphasizing an orderly world and the applicability of knowledge to effect change.

Question 6

A movement that emerged in the US and elsewhere, and which promoted a policy of following evidence to decide on practice action is called:

Accepted Answer

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a movement that emerged in the US and elsewhere, and which promoted a policy of following evidence to decide on practice action.

Question 7

______ is an interpretivist set of ideas proposing that understanding about the world come from interactions between people as part of many interchanges in a social, cultural and historical context:

Accepted Answer

Social constructionism is an interpretivist approach that emphasizes the role of social interactions and cultural and historical contexts in the development and understanding of knowledge and reality. It suggests that our perceptions of reality are shaped through discourse and social interactions.

Question 8

Empowerment views argue that knowledge comes primarily from:

Accepted Answer

Empowerment views emphasize that knowledge comes primarily from clients, as it values their experiences and perspectives in understanding and addressing their needs and challenges.

Question 9

Not taking for granted the present social order but actively looking for social change is characteristic of:

Accepted Answer

Critical thinking involves questioning and not taking things at face value, including the present social order, and it often involves seeking ways to improve or change societal structures.

Question 10

The debate about the role of empirical research evidence in evaluating practice theory:

Accepted Answer

The debate about the role of empirical research evidence in evaluating practice theory continues to be a significant area of discussion within various fields, including social sciences and healthcare. Despite the development of evidence-based practice, which integrates clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research, there remains ongoing debate and discussion about how best to evaluate practice theory and the role of empirical research in this process.

Question 11

There is no universally accepted method of grouping social work theories:

Accepted Answer

Social work theories can be categorized in various ways, and different scholars and practitioners may use different criteria or frameworks for grouping them.

Question 12

Eclecticism is:

Accepted Answer

Eclecticism involves integrating ideas from multiple theories to create a personalized approach, is common in practice, and should be applied consistently.

Question 13

Eclecticism critics sometimes argue that:

Accepted Answer

Critics of eclecticism argue that practitioners might select theories based on personal comfort rather than empirical evidence, potentially compromising the effectiveness of their practice.

Question 14

Many practitioners transfer and adapt ideas that they are confident in applying in one part of their practice to other aspects of their work:

Accepted Answer

Practitioners often use successful strategies or ideas from one area of their practice in other areas to improve efficiency and outcomes, leveraging their existing knowledge and skills.

Question 15

The major area of debate about social work theory, from the 1990s to the present, has been:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The major area of debate about social...

Question 16

Human beings are independent, free to follow their will, thus it is just not possible to collect all the necessary information to understand the rules of human life, so it is better to think about the world in a more flexible way. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This statement reflects interpretivist thinking, which emphasizes understanding the complexity of human experience and the subjective meaning individuals attach to their actions. Interpretivists argue that human behavior cannot be fully understood through rigid, scientific laws, advocating for a more flexible, nuanced approach to studying social phenomena.

Question 17

Positivism is:

Accepted Answer

Positivism is a philosophical theory stating that certain ("positive") knowledge is based on natural phenomena and their properties and relations as verified by the empirical sciences. This includes the belief that society, like the physical world, operates according to general laws and that all appropriate information about human society can be gathered by observation, experiment, and comparison. Thus, it encompasses all the given options: viewing people objectively, believing in the predictability of human behavior, and understanding the world as orderly and governed by natural laws.

Question 18

The arguments for EPB do not include:

Accepted Answer

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) emphasizes using the best available research evidence to guide clinical decision-making. It does not specifically argue that practitioners are responsible for identifying aims and research options; rather, it focuses on integrating individual clinical expertise with the best external evidence and patient values. Choices B, C, and D directly relate to core principles of EBP, emphasizing the use of research over personal preference, systematic practice, and reliance on the best research available.

Question 19

When we believe that knowledge emerges from human interpretations of successions of events that can be captured empirically, we say this is a _____ research approach:

Accepted Answer

The realistic research approach suggests that knowledge is derived from empirical evidence and human interpretations of events.

Question 20

It is unlikely that we can make generalized deductions from research about what we do in particular situations.

Accepted Answer

Generalized deductions from research may not accurately predict behavior in specific situations due to the complexity and variability of human behavior and contextual factors.

Quiz 2: Using Social Work Theory in Practice