Explain How Psychology Relates To Social Work Practice

Psychology is defined as the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, psychology is useful in many ways.

Social work professions need to understand the importance of how individuals interact both with other people and their environment, to have an understanding how individuals are affected by these interactions (Rogers, p. 2). According to Rogers (2016), “Social workers are knowledgeable about human behavior across the life course; the range of social systems in which people live; and the ways social systems promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving health and well-being. Social workers apply theories and knowledge from the liberal arts to understand biological, social, cultural, psychological, and spiritual development (p. 2). Their work with clients begins with assessments to evaluations of intervention and is based in and supports of the core value system of the profession.

Psychology is defined by Merriam-Webster, as the science of mind and behavior. It is a study of how an individual's psyche can be created, developed, altered or destroyed. Carol Gilligan, a Harvard Graduate School professor, for many years has analyzed the psychological theory and development, specifically in a book entitled In A Different Voice.

Psychology is a term derived from two Greek words that translate to life explanation, which makes it an important element of daily life. The field of psychology can be described as a discipline that focuses on the study of mind and behavior. This discipline is characterized by several concepts and approaches that are used by psychologists in understanding human behavior. Since psychology is a broad field, psychologists not only use these concepts and approaches but also conduct scientific research that enables them to understand human behavior. Some of the most common psychological concepts that are used to modify or change an individual’s behavior include operant conditioning, positive and negative punishment,

_____ Psychology and "common sense" lead to the same conclusions about behavior and mental processes.

Psychology is a discipline that involves monitoring mental processes and behaviour scientifically. Psychologists try to delve into the basic functions of a person and animals cerebral activity. This usually involves studying relationships, emotions, personality and many more areas of a person or animals day to day life. Psychology tends to steer towards finding reasons for a person or animals actions in an attempt to resolve them.

This section of the paper will discuss the definition of social work, values associated with social work and arguments for and against the use of systems theory in social work practice. Social work can be described as a field of study that encompasses individuals and their environment. Social work can be defined as work trained professionals do to elevate stressors of individuals so they may become more self-sufficient and empowered to live to their fullest potential.

The psychodynamic approach in social work is still relevant and is important for its humanizing qualities, for understanding and working with people with severe problems and for, perhaps, helping us to locate the position of social work as it relates to the mental health professions. According to Deal (2007), “Current trends in psychodynamic theory include a vibrant interest in theory development, including cultural considerations, an emphasis on a relational paradigm, and increasing support for research, all of which have implications for social work"(pg 192). Social workers employ the theory of psychodynamic when dealing with a client who has suffered past trauma or abuse and are better able to facilitate healing by placing attention on a client’s ego defense mechanisms to protect individuals from becoming overwhelmed by impulses and threats. Social work practice primary focus in psychodynamic theory are utilized to analyze emotions that play a key role in human behavior and concerned with how these internal needs, drives, and emotions motivate human behavior. It assumes that both conscious and unconscious mental activity motivate human behavior, and that internalized experiences. Social work theories are general explanations that are supported by evidence obtained through the scientific method. A psychodynamic theory may explain human behavior, by describing how humans interact or how humans react to certain stimuli. Social work practice models describe how social workers can implement psychodynamic theories. While a psychodynamic theory explains the conscious and unconscious thoughts of human beings behaviors, a social worker can use the theory to create change. Psychodynamic theory can be relevancy to social workers to assist in identifying concepts, such as the role of drives in human motivation, stages of psychosexual development, and ego defense mechanisms

Social work may not be the most respected profession but it’s a recognizable one. Social workers help people or groups identify their problems, determine their skills and capacities, what they are doing well, and how that was accomplished, and then analyze ways that those strengths might be applied to the identified problems. Social workers are helping professionals.

Psychology is an applied as well as an academic field that studies both the human mind and behavior. The research in psychology attempts to explain and understand behavior, emotion and thought. The subject of psychology was created when Wilhelm Wundt opened up the very first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany. Wilhelm Wundt believed that individuals who are appropriately trained would most likely be able to recognize the mental processes that are accompanied with feelings, thoughts and sensations (Wagner , 2009).

According to the National Association of Social Workers website, “Social work practice consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services; counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; helping communities or groups provide or

* Refers to the private thoughts, emotions, feelings, and motives that other people can not directly observe.

#1 A: Social work can be defined as a broad profession, with the sole purpose of improving the lives and relieving the hardships of the members of a population. Social work addresses many problems for the well being of society, including: health care, criminal justice and domestic violence, economic and public policies, child and family welfare, as well as homelessness. Social workers are trained professionals with the education and tools necessary to address problems from several different perspectives, with the intention of helping the masses and not just individuals. Social workers have the ability to inform people in need of resources available to help them achieve a wide variety of goals, whether personal social mobility, or financial independence.

In other words, social work profession, not only accommodate individual internal situations, as far as, client’s struggles, they also work with individual family to examine client’s relationship, family history, work environment, community environment, and the structures and policies that impact the clients in order to identify ways to help address problems or challenges.

Social Work’s core philosophy and values are centered around social justice and social well-being. Oppression, injustice, discrimination, and violence are antithetical to the social work profession. Social Work believes in strength-based approaches and the person-in-environment perspective to cater the needs and welfare of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society at large. Generally, the target populations for social work are vulnerable, marginalized, and oppressed people; however, social workers provide services to people with a wide range of problems, such as poverty, addiction, mental illness, etc. to empower them to meet their own needs. Historically, the social work profession started its operation by providing neighborhood