The twentieth century ushered in the beginning outline of the structures of the systems theory (“Theoretical Approaches”). Since that beginning, biology, cybernetics, and social work have defined their own systems theories (“Theoretical Approaches”). While the applications of the theory differ, the systems consist of corresponding parts that work together to make a whole system (“Theoretical Approaches”). The social work systems theory has orienting theories, practice perspectives, and practice models to aid social workers in their professional practice (“Theoretical Approaches”). Two orienting theories that work together and are crucial to being an effective social worker are the social learning theory and the psychodynamic theory.
Social …show more content…
The psychodynamic theory works to explain behaviors through understanding the unconscious processes of a person (Deal). Freud believed that biological drives based on gratification direct human behavior (Deal). When the person seeks gratification, the outside world, such as parents and society, frequently opposes the gratifications (Deal). According to Freud, the gratifications come from the structure called the id (Deal). After a length of time, the restraints no longer come from society alone, as the person has internalized them (Deal). The superego develops from those internalizations (Deal). From the id comes the ego which works to perceive the world, control the id, and support reality (Deal). Social learning and the person’s environment structure the superego, and how well their ego balances the drives from the id and the internalizations from the superego. When the social worker works to understand the environment, they can begin to understand the unconscious processes of the person.
The social work systems theory has other correlating parts, but how the social learning theory and psychodynamic theory work together is interesting. Social learning forms the superego, and eventually the ego of the person. When the person’s environment is lacking, the id has the potential to override the abilities of the superego and ego. At that point, the social worker steps in to help the person. Understanding the person’s environment and how they process the world around them is crucial to an effective social
Social …show more content…
The psychodynamic theory works to explain behaviors through understanding the unconscious processes of a person (Deal). Freud believed that biological drives based on gratification direct human behavior (Deal). When the person seeks gratification, the outside world, such as parents and society, frequently opposes the gratifications (Deal). According to Freud, the gratifications come from the structure called the id (Deal). After a length of time, the restraints no longer come from society alone, as the person has internalized them (Deal). The superego develops from those internalizations (Deal). From the id comes the ego which works to perceive the world, control the id, and support reality (Deal). Social learning and the person’s environment structure the superego, and how well their ego balances the drives from the id and the internalizations from the superego. When the social worker works to understand the environment, they can begin to understand the unconscious processes of the person.
The social work systems theory has other correlating parts, but how the social learning theory and psychodynamic theory work together is interesting. Social learning forms the superego, and eventually the ego of the person. When the person’s environment is lacking, the id has the potential to override the abilities of the superego and ego. At that point, the social worker steps in to help the person. Understanding the person’s environment and how they process the world around them is crucial to an effective social