The Self-Awareness Workbook for Social Workers

by Rothman, Juliet C.

• ISBN13: 9780205290291
• ISBN10: 0205290299
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-08-24
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Social work has a long and distinguished tradition of dedication to humanitarian ideals. As advocates, reformers, and providers of direct services, social workers are always concerned with the maximization of human potential for each of their clients and for all members of society. But assisting clients in reaching their personal goals and to grow and change in ways meaningful to them requires that social workers themselves understand the important role that their life experiences have played in their understanding of the world. This book is intended to do just that, enabling readers to explore their own issues and feelings about self-identity, difference, experiences with others, and negative beliefs and stereotypes about others.This workbook provides personalized exercises that allow readers to address issues most relevant to them. Unit I explores the historical and ethical bases of the profession, particularly its commitment to poor, at-risk, disempowered populations. Unit II engages the reader in personal self-assessment, including a review of influential persons in their lives and their beliefs and feelings about others. It also helps readers to develop a definition of identity, both individually and in terms of group affiliations. The final unit introduces professional and personal values, assisting readers to explore areas where beliefs and attitude may impact negatively on professional commitment and competent practice.Social workers and therapists.

Table of Contents

A Word to Instructors	xi	(2)
Preface	xiii
UNIT I YOU AND THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION	1	(50)
Chapter ONE A Very Special Mission	3	(8)
Historical Perspective	3	(3)
The Charitable Organization Societies	3	(2)
The Settlement House Movement	5	(1)
Social Work Today	6	(1)
Ethical Perspective	6	(3)
Chapter Exercise	9	(2)
Chapter TWO Merging Personal and Professional Goals	11	(10)
Professional Goals	11	(1)
Personal Goals	12	(7)
Exploring Your Motivation for the Profession	12	(1)
Some Possible Answers	13	(4)
Assessing Your Personal Answer	17	(2)
Chapter Exercise	19	(2)
Chapter THREE Disempowerment and the Professional Encounter	21	(14)
Learning One's "Place" in the World	21	(1)
The Professional Encounter	22	(2)
Our Clients' Experiences	24	(2)
Imbalances Inherent in "Asking" for Help	24	(1)
Power, Authority, and Knowledge Imbalances	25	(1)
Our Own Experiences	26	(5)
Imbalances Inherent in "Giving" Help	27	(1)
Power, Authority, and Knowledge Imbalances	28	(3)
Chapter Exercise	31	(4)
Chapter FOUR A Brief Look at Client Populations	35	(16)
"Population" Implies a Shift from "Case" to "Class"	35	(1)
Vulnerable and At-Risk Populations	35	(1)
Disempowered Populations	36	(1)
Vulnerable, At-Risk, and Disempowered Populations Are Oppressed Populations	37	(1)
Oppressed Populations in the United States Today	38	(2)
Oppression in the Social Work Encounter	40	(1)
Chapter Exercise	41	(4)
Unit I Summary	45	(2)
Unit I Assignment: Values And Goals	47	(4)
UNIT II EXPLORING SELF-IDENTITY	51	(66)
Chapter FIVE Theories of Identity Development	53	(18)
Comprehensive Theories of Identity Development	54	(4)
Erick Erickson's Eight Stages of Phychosocial Development	54	(1)
Taifel and Turner's Social Identity Theory	55	(1)
Symbolic Interactionism	55	(1)
The Ecological Perspective	56	(1)
Structural Functionalism	56	(1)
The Transpersonal Perspective	57	(1)
Identity Crisis	58	(2)
Adolescence	58	(1)
Transitional Crisis States	59	(1)
Racial/Ethinic/Cultural Identity Formation	60	(2)
The Cross Model of Black Racial Identity Development	60	(1)
Fanon/Bulban Stages of Black Identity Development	60	(1)
The Helms Model of White Racial Identity Development	61	(1)
Gender Identity Development	62	(2)
Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development	63	(1)
Gilligan's Stages of Moral Development	63	(1)
Gay and Lesbian Identity Development	64	(1)
Disabled Person Identity Development	65	(2)
Chapter Exercise	67	(4)
Chapter SIX Exploring and Affirming Your Personal Identity	71	(16)
Individual Identity	72	(5)
Personal Values and Beliefs	72	(1)
Personal Worldview	73	(2)
Personal Interests and Abilities	75	(1)
Personal Characteristics	76	(1)
Ascribed, Prescribed, and Self-Selected Identity	77	(4)
Chapter Exercise	81	(6)
Chapter SEVEN Recognizing the Influence of Others on Your Personal Identity Development	87	(12)
The Family	88	(1)
The Extended Family Group	89	(1)
The School and Peer Group	90	(1)
The Community	91	(1)
The College Years	92	(1)
The Work Place	92	(1)
Chapter Exercise	93	(6)
Chapter EIGHT Exploring "Other"	99	(18)
"We": A Sometimes Shifting Concept	99	(6)
"Other": A Question of Definition	100	(1)
"Other": A Mysterious Entity	101	(1)
"Other": Difference, Beliefs, and Feelings	102	(1)
Learning about "Other"	103	(2)
Chapter Exercise	105	(6)
Unit II Summary	111	(2)
Unit II Assignment: Personal Identity	113	(4)
UNIT III DEVELOPING A MODEL FOR GROWTH AND CHANGE	117	(36)
Chapter NINE Viewing "Other" through the Lens of Professional and Personal Values and Commitments	119	(8)
Professional Values and Commitments	120	(1)
Personal Values and Commitments	120	(1)
Recognizing Conflict: Our Values and "Other"	121	(2)
Assessing the Commitment for Change	123	(2)
Chapter Exercise	125	(2)
Chapter TEN A Model for Change	127	(6)
Selecting a Population	128	(1)
Intellectual Learning	128	(1)
Learning from Literature and Film	128	(1)
Learning from Immersion	129	(1)
Learning from Individuals	129	(2)
Chapter Exercise	131	(2)
Chapter ELEVEN Reassessing "Other"	133	(10)
Writing Your Experience	134	(1)
Sharing with Peers	134	(1)
Reexamining Your Feelings and Beliefs about Your Selected "Other"	135	(1)
Sharing with Family Members, Friends, and Others	135	(2)
Chapter Exercise	137	(6)
Chapter TWELVE Self-Awareness as a Way of Life	143	(10)
Affirming Personal Identity	144	(1)
Defining "Other"	144	(1)
Changing Our Definitions	144	(1)
Content and Process: Familiar Terms in a New Context	145	(1)
Using the Process	145	(1)
Developing a "Wider Identity"	146	(1)
Self-Awareness Is a Lifelong Project	146	(1)
Unit III Summary	147	(2)
Unit III Assignment: Application of the Change Model	149	(4)
References	153