Social Work Theory and Methods
Comparison Table
Theory Key Concepts Advantages Limitations
Systems Theory • People are not isolated •The emphasis on •Does not explain why things
individuals but operate as changing environments happen or give guidance about
part of wider networks or rather than the individual. how to act to bring about
'systems. •The focus on patterns change.
•Systems can be formal rather than 'cause and •May overemphasise 'bigger
(family and friends), formal effect' - allows for different picture' at the expense of the
(clubs and support groups) ways of achieving the details.
or public (schools and desired outcome. •Values maintenance and
hospitals). •Sees the worker as part of integration over conflict – may
•Difficulties can arise if a system of change rather not explicitly challenge any
there is a lack of fit than solely responsible. inequality and does not
between the person and encourage challenge of
the systems they are a part oppressive systems.
of.
•Systems can be employed
to help support the person
to achieve change.
Ecological •Germain and Gitterman - •Acknowledge-ment of the •The same as above.
Approach 'Life model' (1980/1996) - interrelationship between
people are interdependent person and environment.
with each other and their •Consideration of a range
environment – each of resources to support
influences the other over people – both internal and
time. external.
•People move through
their own life course and
may encounter 'stressors' -
some of which may cause
them to think they cannot
cope.
•People employ coping
mechanisms and draw on
resources in the
environment, social
networks and inner
resources.
Task Centred •Brief work within explicit •Clear and to the point. •Not effective if there are longer
Approach time limits. •Short time-scale may help term psychological issues.
•Collaborative approach people feel more •Not effective if service users do
between worker and committed. not accept the right of the
service user – based on a •Well supported by worker to be involved.
contract. research. •Approach may oversimplify
•Systematic work. •Service users supported issues people face.
Comparison Table
Theory Key Concepts Advantages Limitations
Systems Theory • People are not isolated •The emphasis on •Does not explain why things
individuals but operate as changing environments happen or give guidance about
part of wider networks or rather than the individual. how to act to bring about
'systems. •The focus on patterns change.
•Systems can be formal rather than 'cause and •May overemphasise 'bigger
(family and friends), formal effect' - allows for different picture' at the expense of the
(clubs and support groups) ways of achieving the details.
or public (schools and desired outcome. •Values maintenance and
hospitals). •Sees the worker as part of integration over conflict – may
•Difficulties can arise if a system of change rather not explicitly challenge any
there is a lack of fit than solely responsible. inequality and does not
between the person and encourage challenge of
the systems they are a part oppressive systems.
of.
•Systems can be employed
to help support the person
to achieve change.
Ecological •Germain and Gitterman - •Acknowledge-ment of the •The same as above.
Approach 'Life model' (1980/1996) - interrelationship between
people are interdependent person and environment.
with each other and their •Consideration of a range
environment – each of resources to support
influences the other over people – both internal and
time. external.
•People move through
their own life course and
may encounter 'stressors' -
some of which may cause
them to think they cannot
cope.
•People employ coping
mechanisms and draw on
resources in the
environment, social
networks and inner
resources.
Task Centred •Brief work within explicit •Clear and to the point. •Not effective if there are longer
Approach time limits. •Short time-scale may help term psychological issues.
•Collaborative approach people feel more •Not effective if service users do
between worker and committed. not accept the right of the
service user – based on a •Well supported by worker to be involved.
contract. research. •Approach may oversimplify
•Systematic work. •Service users supported issues people face.
