THEORIES OF SOCIAL WORK Definition of Social Work The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving

in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work. Definition of Theory Theory has been its methodology on a systematic body of evidence-based knowledge derived from research and practice evaluation, including local and indigenous knowledge specific to its context. A social work theory draws of human development and behaviour and social systems to analyse complex situations and to facilitate individual, organisational, social and cultural changes. Role Theory: Is a perspective in sociology and in social psychology that considers most of everyday activity to be the acting out of socially defined categories (e.g., mother, manager, and teacher). Each social role is a set of rights, duties, expectations, norms and behaviours that a person has to face and fulfil. The model is based on the observation that people behave in a predictable way, and that an individuals behaviour is context specific, based on social position and other factors. The theatre is a metaphor often used to describe role theory. Role Theory: We meet many clients in our caseloads whose problems are stress-related to an inability to cope with complex role sets or because they cannot deal appropriately with role transitions in their lives, such as being newly married or separated, ill, or retired. Role theory has proven highly useful in helping people sort out role-related situations, understand them, and better order their life priorities. Gestalt Theory: In addition to being a therapeutic system, Gestalt is also a popular movement. It is an approach to therapy that urges therapists to be free to be themselves, to be innovative, creative, and imaginative in working with clients. It is an approach that is very well suited to clients interested in a total and integrated sense of self and use of self. It aims at helping clients achieve close conscious contact with self and life.

Crisis Theory: This theory provides a useful framework in which to understand the dynamics and expected behaviour of persons experiencing various life traumas. It provides a basis for swift assessment of clients and the setting of discrete objectives and procedures for diagnosed crises. It is both an orientation to the dynamics of crises as well as a well-tested set of strategies to reduce the impact of the crises and return the client to at least the same level or an even higher level of psychosocial functioning. Psychoanalytic Theory: This theory is probably the most influential yet most criticized theory in social work practice. Its influence has been pervasive, universal, and continuing. The real-life problems created by transference, developmental fixations, and regressions are a frequent reality in current practice and many can only be addressed from this theoretical perspective. Although many systems stress a more presentfocused orientation, large numbers of clients, in seeking a more comfortable and less alienated self-concept, want to understand their emotional and developmental history from this perspective.

Others Type of Theory Functional Theory: This theory, once considered pass, continues to influence current practice. It focuses on the client's internal resources and the healthy and functioning components of personality. It is important to keep in focus the fact that the setting in which treatment is provided is a particular aspect of the client's significant environment and how the use of structure, time, and available resources can be helpful. This approach to practice has been and continues to be particularly helpful in situations where authority is a predominant aspect of the presenting situation or setting. Cognitive Theory: This cluster of theories is strongly influencing practice in an overall fashion by giving more importance to our rational abilities. In a specific way' these theories are useful in those situations where our objective is to help people think about and plan appropriate solutions. In these situations the focus is on responsibility, ability, and effective use of one's executive capacities to deal with the present and to function better in the future.
2

Communication Theory: This cluster of theories, concerned with the way in which humans transmit and receive information, is an essential general knowledge base for social workers in all areas of practice. Too, these concepts can be of particular assistance in keeping the therapeutic process open and effective. These concepts have had considerable impact on the treatment of marital pairs and families. Family Theory: In addition to providing a theoretical and therapeutic base for dealing with family-related situations, family theory has also been useful in understanding and managing individual problems in clarifying the extent to which such problems are related to family issues. Family treatment is in great demand in all areas of practice to respond to the complex and prevalent problems in current family life. System Theory: Social work practitioners have long sought a theory such as systems that would provide a framework, so critical to social work practice, for understanding and ordering the multifaceted setting in which our clients function. In particular, it is useful in those multi problem situations involving a complex interaction of stress-producing significant environments. Feminism Theory: As our society has become more conscious of the complex and frequently unfair and unjust ways that we respond to women, and the effects this has on self-image and functioning, a growing body of relevant therapeutic theory is emerging. This theory is useful in situations when women are seeking to get a better understanding of themselves and their potential, and to find strategies to help set and achieve appropriate life, personal, and career goals. Marxist Theory: As with systems theory, Marxist thinking gives an orientation to broader society, its operation, and its impact on individuals, families, and groups. As such it is not yet a system of therapy but a perspective from which therapy can begin. It provides some parameters within which treatment objectives can be developed. Its basic premises would not be acceptable to many clients and this could be counterproductive in such situations.

Psychosocial: This system has a broad spectrum of applicability in that it focuses on the critical relationships between persons and their significant environment and the interaction between the two. It is most useful in cases where the goal is to help the client both to understand issues of personality and how these effects are affected by societal realities, and to seek solutions in both the person and the environment. Conclusion Social work addresses the barriers, inequities and injustices that exist in society. It responds to crises and emergencies as well as to everyday personal and social problems. Social work utilises a variety of skills, techniques, and activities consistent with its holistic focus on persons and their environments. Social work interventions range from primarily person-focused psychosocial processes to involvement in social policy, planning and development. These include counselling, clinical social work, group work, social pedagogical work, and family treatment and therapy as well as efforts to help people obtain services and resources in the community. Interventions also include agency administration, community organisation and engaging in social and political action to impact social policy and economic development. The holistic focus of social work is universal, but the priorities of social work practice will vary from country to country and from time to time depending on cultural, historical, and socio-economic conditions.

Editing By G. SUNDHARAMOORTHI, MSW, M.PHIL, MUPC, MHRM, (PH.D) Lecturer Department of social work Bharathidasan University College Kurumbalur, Perambalur 621 107