Application Of Systems Theory To A Case Study

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In this course, you will be asked to select one case study and to use it throughout the entire course. By doing this, you will have the opportunity to see how theories guide your view of a client and the client’s presenting problem. Although the case may be the same, each time you use a different theory, your perspective of the problem changes, which then changes how you go about asking the assessment questions and how you intervene.

The first theoretical approach you will use to apply to a case study is systems theory. In other words, your theoretical orientation—your lens—will be systems theory as you analyze a social work case study.

Different theories can be used to take a systems approach. For example, Bertalanffy’s General Systems Theory considers how a system is made of smaller subsystems that influence each other and seek homeostasis, whereas Brofennerbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory focuses on how an individual’s experience is influenced by different system levels (micro, meso, exo, macro, and chrono). Systems theory is commonly used to understand the interrelationships of the systems (e.g., family, community, organizations, society) of the client. If you are working with families, communities, and organizations, it is also beneficial to use systems theory to get a holistic picture of all the interrelated parts of the system.

To prepare: Select and focus on one of four case studies listed in the Learning Resources. You will use this same case study throughout the course. (The Case of Jake Levy).

  • Focus on the identified client within your chosen case.
  • Analyze the case using a systems approach, taking into consideration both family and community systems.
  • Complete and submit the “Dissecting a Theory and Its Application to a Case Study” worksheet based on your analysis.Worksheet: Dissecting a Theory and Its Application to a Case Study

     

    Most theories can be dissected and analyzed. All theories will tell you something about their focus or unit of analysis. A theory will identify its major or key concepts. It will also point to the definition of the problem and its cause. This then guides how the social worker assesses and intervenes, because the theory will also articulate the role of the social worker and how change occurs.

     

    Basic Assumptions of the Theory

     

    Directions: For each section, respond in 2 to 3 sentences to the following prompts. Where relevant, provide citations to support your claims.

     
    Name of theory

     

     
    Name of theorist

     

     
    What are the major assumptions of the theory?

     

     
    What are the theory’s key concepts?

     

     
    What is the theory’s focus or unit of analysis?

     

     
    What is the theory’s overall explanation for the cause of problems?

     

     
     
    Application to a Case Study <insert the name of the client>

     

    Directions: For each section, respond to the following prompts. Where relevant, provide citations to support your claims.

     
    In 1 to 2 sentences, how does the theory define the client’s presenting problem?

     

     

     
    In 1 to 2 sentences, how does the theory explain the cause of the client’s presenting problem?

     

     

     
    In 1 to 2 sentences, how does the theory explain the role of the social worker for this client?

     

     

     
    In 1 to 2 sentences, what does the theory say about how this client will improve or how change will occur?

     

     

     
    Using the theory, list 2 to 3 assessment questions to ask this client to explore the client’s goals and how they will get there.

     

     

     
    According to the theory, identify 2 to 3 specific practice intervention strategies for the client relative to the presenting problem. For each, explain in 1 sentence how it will help meet the client’s goals.

     

     

     
    Based on the theory, list 2 to 3 outcomes when evaluating whether an intervention is effective.

     

     

     
    What is one strength and one limitation in using this theory for this client?

     

     

     
     
    Questions to Consider When Evaluating the Theory

     

    You are not required to answer these questions for this assignment. However, these questions could help stimulate thinking whenever you are asked to evaluate a theory.

     
    To what extent does the theory apply widely to diverse situations? Or does it apply narrowly to particular situations?

     
    Is the theory ethical? Is it consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics?

     
    Is the theory congruent with the professional value base of the social work field?

     
    How cost effective would it be to implement interventions based on the theory?

     
    To what extent does the theory fit within the organization’s or agency’s philosophy?

     
    What do research studies say about how effective the interventions are?

     

Child Abuse and Neglect

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Assignment: Child Abuse and Neglect

Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse can have a devastating impact on a child and his or her family members. Social workers need to understand how to recognize and respond to cases of abuse expertly and efficiently. With an empathetic and helpful social worker, victims/survivors of abuse can take their first step onto the long road toward healing. For this Assignment, read the case study Working With Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Trauma: The Case of Brandon and then consider what you would do if you were a social worker and had to report a parent of suspected child abuse.

 

  1. ·      Submit a 2-page paper in which you review the approach taken by the social worker in Brandon’s case.
  2. ·      Identify how the social worker might have used the ecological model to understand Brandon’s situation based on a person-in-environment perspective.
  3.  ·      Explain the use of the ecological model in this case on micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
  4.     Describe strengths the social worker may have missed in assessing Brandon and his mother.
  5.  ·  Review the challenges that the social worker identifies and explain the impact the abuse could have had on Brandon had his strengths not been identified and addressed. Please use the Learning Resources to support your answer.

 

References (use 2 or more)

 

 

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

 

Roose, R., & De Bie, M. (2008). Children’s rights: A challenge for social work. International Social Work, 51(1), 37–46. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

 

Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2016). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (10th ed.). Boston, MA:  Cengage Learning.

Chapter 4 (pp. 178-253)

 

 

Working With Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Trauma: The Case of Brandon

Brandon is a 12-year-old, Caucasian male who currently resides with his mother and her boyfriend. Six years ago, Brandon disclosed that his father had repeatedly sexually abused him between the ages of 4 and 6. Brandon’s mother called law enforcement immediately after the disclosure, and his father has been incarcerated since. Brandon has previously participated in therapy to address challenging behaviors, including physical aggression, difficulty following rules at home and school, and using inappropriate language with sexual overtones toward female peers. Brandon and his mother report that they ceased participating in therapy in the past after there was no change in Brandon’s behavior. Brandon’s teachers have suggested that his behaviors are similar to those of peers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but his mother has declined educational or psychological testing because she does not want her son to be labeled and is unsure if she agrees with the use of psychotropic medication with children.

Brandon began attending trauma-focused treatment after demonstrating an increase in argumentative behavior and minor property destruction at home. His mother reported that the majority of undesired behaviors were initiated during interactions with her boyfriend. Brandon’s use of physical aggression has not increased in school; however, a female peer recently reported him for using sexually explicit language toward her. Brandon admitted to using inappropriate language toward the female peer but appeared to have a limited understanding of what the phrases used meant. Brandon’s mother noted during intake that she is concerned that her son will become a violent sexual offender or a pedophile and noted that his use of sexual language was likely the start of sexual behavior problems.

At the beginning of treatment, Brandon reported that he frequently feared for his physical safety but often could not pinpoint what made him feel unsafe. He had searched the Internet to find registered sexual offenders in his neighborhood, and he had begun sleeping with a loaded BB gun under his pillow in case someone entered the home to assault him again. Brandon had flashbacks when trying to fall asleep and described feeling like he was floating outside of his body when he thought of his abuse. He had seen a television show where victims spoke at the parole hearings of their perpetrators, and he spent many hours thinking about what he would say if he went to his father’s parole hearing in 3 years. Brandon felt like he loved his father very much and that his father was a great father except for when he hurt him. Brandon identified wanting to feel less worried, sleep better, and fight less with his mother as primary treatment goals.

I worked with Brandon in both individual and family sessions to address his symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Utilizing the trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy approach, early sessions focused on coping skills and emotional regulation. As Brandon became more comfortable with expressing feelings and utilizing coping skills, he began discussing his sexual abuse history and the ongoing effect this experience had on his life. I met with Brandon’s mother for collateral sessions in order to help her identify and process her own feelings about his abuse and to develop skills to support Brandon through his treatment. Brandon’s mother was provided with psychoeducation regarding childhood sexual abuse, and her belief that her son would become a violent sexual offender as a result of his experience was challenged through cognitive behavioral therapy. She agreed to meet the agency psychiatrist, and after the initial consultation she agreed to have Brandon meet with the doctor. After a psychiatric evaluation, Brandon was prescribed a low dose of antidepressant medication.

 

Brandon completed a trauma narrative that addressed the details of his sexual abuse experience, his disclosure of the abuse, and the trial and subsequent imprisonment of his father. Brandon included a description of his feelings at each point in his narrative, as well as what he learned in treatment about childhood sexual abuse and coping skills to deal with uncomfortable feelings and impulsivity. Brandon shared his trauma narrative with his mother, who provided a safe and supportive space during this experience through the use of skills learned and practiced during collateral parent sessions. Brandon’s symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress decreased steadily during the course of treatment. After 8 months of sessions and the successful completion of his trauma narrative, the family and I agreed that Brandon was ready to terminate trauma-focused treatment. Brandon continued receiving medication management with a psychiatrist and transitioned into home- and community-based treatment that focused on his ongoing impulsive behaviors.

Why is it important to follow a process when trying to solve problems?

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Why  is it important to follow a process when trying to solve problems?

 

                    

 

This    assignment helps you apply your knowledge from this week’s modules and    readings.

 

 

Decision making is a systematic process    of selecting the best among the different alternatives. Making decisions can    be difficult but following a process will provide an individual with    confidence, accountability and self-awareness. Being an effective decision    maker is key to personal and career success.

 

 

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Universal Intellectual Standards
Using the week 2 reading about  Universal Standards, answer the questions below.

1. Universal  Intellectual Standards guide you  through the process of  validating information and asking questions to collect accurate data. List the  nine (9) Universal Intellectual Standards.

A. Type   answer here

B. Type   answer here

C. Type   answer here

D. Type   answer here

E. +

F. Type   answer here

G. Type   answer here

H. Type   answer here

I. Type   answer here

2. Decide which of the 9 Universal  Intellectual Standards you are demonstrating when you ask the following  questions.

 

QUESTIONS

STANDARD

 

Could    you give more details? Could you be more specific?

Type answer     here

 

How does your answer address the complexities    in the question? How are you taking into account the problems in the    question? Is that dealing with the most significant factors?

Type answer     here

 

Do we need to consider another point of    view? Is there another way to look at this question? What would this look    like from a conservative standpoint?

Type answer     here

 

 The Good Samaritan
Read the short story, The Good Samaritan, and answer the  questions below.

3. After  Jim (the main character) found the man in the hallway near his apartment, what  problem was immediately identified?

Type answer here

4. If  you follow Jim’s actions throughout the night, what did he do to deepen his  understanding and gain relevant information about the condition of the  stranger?

Type answer here

5. The  morning after the incident, Jim’s alarm wakes him up.

a. What options did Jim consider that morning?

Type answer here

b. What were the consequences of these options?

Type answer here

6. A  critical thinker scrutinizes the solution and self-corrects. Do you think that  Jim’s course of action would have changed because of the new information he  learned by opening the man’s bag?  Explain. 

Type   answer here

7. Pretend  that the man did not die but will live once he recovers. Also, pretend that  you are Jim. Would you call the police or let the man go home since he already  suffered a serious medical condition? Explain.

Type answer here

8. Why  is the title of the story: The Good Samaritan? Explain. 

Type answer here

 

 

 

Problem Solving

9. Select  the answer that correctly fills in the blanks to complete the sentence.

When considering how well a particular solution to a problem  is working, the critical thinker is someone who is __________ to new ideas and  experiences and __________ enough to change or modify new beliefs.

☐ Neutral;  insightful

☐ Open;  positive

☐ Receptive;  flexible

☐ Open;  eager

10. In  order to effectively solve problems, you must think carefully and  systematically to find a solution.

Your book describes a 5-step problem-solving process. Explain how each step in this process can  help a person solve a problem.

 

STEP

IMPORTANCE

 

1. What is the problem?

Type answer here

 

2. What are the alternatives?

Type answer here

 

3. What are the advantages and/or disadvantages    of each alternative?

Type answer here

 

4. What is the solution?

Type answer here

 

5. How well is the solution working?

Type answer here

11. Do  you view problems as obstacles to success or growth opportunities? Explain  your answer.

Type answer here

12. After  watching the VIDEO “What the  Internet is doing to our Brains,”  how would you answer the following questions:  Is Google making us stupider? Explain. 

Type answer here

 

 Reflection
Reflect on what you have learned this  week to help you respond to the question below. You may choose to respond in  writing or by recording a video!

13. Imagine  you are working as a Medical Administrative Assistant at a local hospital in  your neighborhood. It’s your first day of work at your new job and you are  excited to get to work and learn as much as you can. However, shortly after  arriving at work, you discover that there has been a miscommunication with HR  about your start date. The office was expecting you to start the following day  instead. As a result, your login information for the office’s computer system  has not been created just yet, and the person responsible for training you is  on Paid Time Off (PTO).

Explain how would you expect a manager  to use the 5 Step Process  introduced during this week in order to resolve this miscommunication problem.  Provide specific reasons for each step and answer as detailed as possible.

HU2000: Week 2 Assignment

 

 

Why is it important to follow a process when trying to solve problems? This assignment helps you apply your knowledge from this week’s modules and readings. Decision making is a systematic process of selecting the best among the different alternatives. Making decisions can be difficult but following a process will provide an individual with confidence, accountability and self-awareness. Being an effective decision maker is key to personal and career success. Universal Intellectual Standards Using the week 2 reading about Universal Standards, answer the questions below. Universal Intellectual Standards guide you through the process of validating information and asking questions to collect accurate data. List the nine (9) Universal Intellectual Standards. Decide which of the 9 Universal Intellectual Standards you are demonstrating when you ask the following questions. QUESTIONS STANDARD Could you give more details? Could you be more specific? Type answer here How does your answer address the complexities in the question? How are you taking into account the problems in the question? Is that dealing with the most significant factors? Type answer here Do we need to consider another point of view? Is there another way to look at this question? What would this look like from a conservative standpoint? Type answer here The Good Samaritan Read the short story, The Good Samaritan, and answer the questions below. After Jim (the main character) found the man in the hallway near his apartment, what problem was immediately identified? If you follow Jim’s actions throughout the night, what did he do to deepen his understanding and gain relevant information about the condition of the stranger? The morning after the incident, Jim’s alarm wakes him up. What options did Jim consider that morning? What were the consequences of these options? A critical thinker scrutinizes the solution and self-corrects. Do you think that Jim’s course of action would have changed because of the new information he learned by opening the man’s bag? Explain. Pretend that the man did not die but will live once he recovers. Also, pretend that you are Jim. Would you call the police or let the man go home since he already suffered a serious medical condition? Explain. Why is the title of the story: The Good Samaritan? Explain. Problem Solving Select the answer that correctly fills in the blanks to complete the sentence. When considering how well a particular solution to a problem is working, the critical thinker is someone who is __________ to new ideas and experiences and __________ enough to change or modify new beliefs. Neutral; insightful Open; positive Receptive; flexible Open; eager In order to effectively solve problems, you must think carefully and systematically to find a solution. Your book describes a 5-step problem-solving process. Explain how each step in this process can help a person solve a problem. STEP IMPORTANCE What is the problem? Type answer here What are the alternatives? Type answer here What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of each alternative? Type answer here What is the solution? Type answer here How well is the solution working? Type answer here Do you view problems as obstacles to success or growth opportunities? Explain your answer. After watching the VIDEO “What the Internet is doing to our Brains,” how would you answer the following questions: Is Google making us stupider? Explain. Reflection Reflect on what you have learned this week to help you respond to the question below. You may choose to respond in writing or by recording a video! Imagine you are working as a Medical Administrative Assistant at a local hospital in your neighborhood. It’s your first day of work at your new job and you are excited to get to work and learn as much as you can. However, shortly after arriving at work, you discover that there has been a miscommunication with HR about your start date. The office was expecting you to start the following day instead. As a result, your login information for the office’s computer system has not been created just yet, and the person responsible for training you is on Paid Time Off (PTO). Explain how would you expect a manager to use the 5 Step Process introduced during this week in order to resolve this miscommunication problem. Provide specific reasons for each step and answer as detailed as possible.

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© Ultimate Medical Academy.

 

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© Ultimate Medical Academy.

Reflection Critical Analysis’ Essay

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Write a minimum 5 pages reflection critical analysis’ essay entitled “Is morality relative or are there objective moral truths?” This essay should explore the ethical, scientific, historic and socio-cultural dimensions of the readings.

Write a minimum 5 pages reflection critical analysis’ essay entitled “Is morality relative or are there objective moral truths?” This essay should explore the ethical, scientific, historic and socio-cultural dimensions of the readings. You have to read two readings (links you will find below the assignment description), one written by Ruth Benedict, “The Case for Moral Relativism” and a second written by Louis P. Pojman entitled “The Case Against Moral Relativism.”

What position do you hold regarding the essay’s question? Do you agree or disagree with the positions stated in the two readings?

Refer to Essay’s Rubrics in order to see the grading system.

In your essay you should:

  1. Use both readings
  2. Give answers to the following questions:

    3. Double-spaced 12 font

  1. Regarding Benedict’s paper:
  1. Is Benedict correct in saying that our culture is “but one entry in a long series of possible adjustments”? What are the implications of this statement?
  2. Can we separate the descriptive (or fact-stating) aspect of anthropological study from the prescriptive (evaluative) aspect of evaluating cultures? Are there some independent criteria by which we can say that some cultures are better than others? Can you think how this project might begin?
  3. What are the implications of Benedict’s claim that morality is simply whatever a culture deems normal behavior? Is this a satisfactory equation? Can you apply it to the institution of slavery or the Nazi policy of anti-Semitism?
  4. What is the significance of Benedict’s statement, “The very eyes with which we see the problem are conditioned by the long traditional habits of our own society”? Can we apply the conceptual relativism embodied in this statement to her own position? (taken form Pojman L.P., Vaughn L., The Moral Life, New York 2007, p. 165.)

b. Regarding Pojman’s paper:

  1. Is Pojman correct in thinking most American students tend to be moral relativists? If he is, why is this? What is the attraction of relativism? If he’s not correct, explain your answer.
  2. Explain the difference between subjective ethical relativism and conventionalism.
  3. Sometimes people argue that since there are no universal moral truths, each culture’s morality is as good as every other, so we ought not to interfere in its practices. Assess this argument.
  4. Does moral relativism have a bad effect on society? Reread the tape-recorded conversation between serial murderer Ted Bundy and one of his victims (pages 171-172) in which Bundy attempts to justify the murder of his victim on the basis of the idea that all moral values are subjective. Analyze Bundy’s discussion. How would the relativist respond to Bundy’s claim that relativism justifies rape and murder? What do you think? Why? (taken form Pojman L.P., Vaughn L., The Moral Life, New York 2007, pp. 190-191.)

Readings:

1. http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/heathwood/pdf/benedict_relativism.pdf

2. Louis P. Pojman, “The Case Against Moral Relativism.”