Orienting Theories
Direct Human Services by Sarah Bradley
Orienting/Explanatory theories describe and explain behavior and how
problems develop, contribute to the development of practice models,
and are often borrowed from other disciplines - economics, anthropology,
psychology, sociology, and biology. Some of them are also practice
theories. These include
Social Constructivist Theory - This is
a conceptual framework based on a collection of theories that share
a belief in the notion that our realities are constructions of the
mind rather than objective facts. They address the nature of knowledge
and assume there are no absolute truths, only differing interpretations
of events. Core concepts are:
- Individuals actively participate in the construction
of their realities;
- realities are constructed from memories, cognitive
schema, behavior and affect; and in turn
- internal stories/scripts/realities are the means
by which individuals perceive, understand, interpret and control
their world.
This is the guiding theory for solution-focused and narrative therapy
models.
Carpenter, D. (1996). Constructivism and social work
treatment in F. Turner (Ed.), Social work treatment, (4th ed.).
New York: Free Press.
Franklin, C & Nurius, P. (1996). Constructivist therapy: New directions
in social work practice. Families in society: The journal of contemporary
social work practice, 77(6): 323-325.
Neimeyer, R.A. & Mahoney, M.J. (1995). Constructivism in psychotherapy.
Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Assn.
Systems Theory - This theory is generated
from the biological sciences and postulates that all components of
the universe are interconnected. All living things are part of an open
system in which they are interrelated and interdependent. Parts of
systems adapt in response to input from other parts of the system.
Systems theory is integral to most family therapy models. Key concepts
in systems theory:
- The system is more than the sum of the parts;
- Changing one part of the system will change other
parts of the system;
- Systems attempt to maintain equilibrium (homeostasis);
- Systems have boundaries, structure, rules and subsystems;
- Systems are flexible and respond to new input with
growth;
- Systems concepts had a profound impact on the development
of family therapies.
Andreae, D. (1996) Systems theory and social work treatment in F. Turner
(Ed.), Social work treatment, (4th ed.). New York: Free Press.
Psychodynamic Theory - both an
orienting and practice theory see under practice
theories.
Attachment Theory - explains the nature
of individual's attachments and the behavior that results from differing
levels of attachment. An individual's level of attachment reflects
an internal experience of the self in relation to the world and can
vary from secure to insecure to disorganized. This level is determined
in the first few years of life and is an adaptational strategy developed
by the child in order to get what they need from or cope with the environment.
The level of attachment impacts behavior (attachment style) and cognition
(attachment schema) and is stable over time. View outline of attachment
styles, behavior, cognition and adult manifestations: Attachment
Styles and Characteristics. This theory has influenced many practice
theories and therapy models.
Holmes, J. (1997). John Bowlby & Attachment
Theory. New York: Routledge.
Cassidy, J & Shaver, P. (Eds.) (1999). Handbook of Attachment: Theory,
Research and Clinical Applications. New York: Guilford.
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