University Social Work Module: Book Review and Reflection

This report presents a book review and reflective piece on 'Five Theories in Social Work' by Gunn Strand Hutchinson, translated by Siv Oltedal. The review covers the book's structure, which includes chapters on psychodynamic, interactional, conflict, and system theories. The author analyzes the historical development and sociological influences of these theories, emphasizing their application in social work practice. The reflective piece provides a student's perspective, detailing how the book enhanced their understanding of sociological concepts, psychological backgrounds, and various sociological dilemmas. The student reflects on the practical implications of the theories, their impact on personal development, and their use in future social work practice. The review also acknowledges the book's limitations, particularly the lack of focus on practical operational dilemmas. The student emphasizes the book's role in providing a foundation for understanding sociological diversity, human psychology, and the importance of maintaining equality in social work.

Running head: BOOK REVIEW AND REFLECTIVE PIECE ON SOCIAL WORK
Book Review and Reflective Piece on Social Work
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1BOOK REVIEW AND REFLECTIVE PIECE ON SOCIAL WORK
The Book Review:
Five Theories in Social Work (Gunn Strand Hutchinson by Siv Oltedal)
Translated By Lene Skaug,
Sydney, Australia, Universitetsforlaget, 2014
In modern civilization, the core concept and theoretical model of social work have to be well
understood. This paper is focused on the five major groups of theories in the study of social
work. These fives theories provide an insight into the conventional and the advanced concept
of social work and its process of evaluation. These five groups of theories are Psychodynamic
Theories, Interactional Theories, Conflict Theories and System Theories (Cane, O’Connor &
Michie, 2012). This paper also includes various scientific psychosocial theories such as
theories of Freud, Marx, Mead, Goffman, and others. This literature has also analyzed the
sociological influences of these theories and how these theories are utilized as the
fundamental keys of the concept of sociology as well as of social work.
The book is divided into seven coherent and logically placed chapters to introduce and
analyze these theories along with their social interpretation and practical implementation. At
the initial chapter of this book, the author describes the dynamics behind the development of
social work theories. In this part, the author has critical analysed the intersection between
individual and social practices. The developmental history of this social work practice has
been also discussed concerning the timeline of 1900 to 1990. The innovation of various
sociological and psychological theories in this timeline has been analyzed to introduce the
idea behind the topic.
In Chapter two, the author has started the discussion on the psychodynamic theories and its
evolution in the context of social work and implementation. Initially, the classical

2BOOK REVIEW AND REFLECTIVE PIECE ON SOCIAL WORK
psychodynamic theories have been discussed as the origin of the standard psychological
theories. Henceforth, these theories and their implementation have been discussed along with
the exploration of various psychological research work and inspirational movement
throughout the history. After that, these theories have been criticised with respect to their
practical implementation within an individual, social space, and conventional social work
approaches.
In Chapter three, the author described the phenomenology and ethnomethodology of the
Integrationist theoretical stages. The field of the social work and its progressive innovation
have been identified and analyzed by criticising the perceptual evaluation through various
theories such as Humanistic models, Shulman’s Interactional model, and others (Turner,
2014). An integrationist analysis of different experiences of social security office has been
also done in this chapter by the author. Finally, the author describes the ‘Critique of
interactionism in social work' with respect to the previous discussion.
In chapter four, the main focus of this paper is various learning theories in social work and
their process of development throughout the history of human civilization. The origin of these
theories and the development process have been analyzed by subdividing this part into
Behaviourism, Cognitive learning theories, and Behavioural Modification (Gambrill, 2012).
The problem-solving model regarding short term and long term learning process have been
critically discussed with respect to their impact on the social groups and on any individual.
How the ‘The Tree’ learning process takes place in the social environment has been
examined with criticism of learning theories in the social work.
In the fifth chapter of this book, the author examines the different conflict theories and their
process of interventions in social work. A critical perspective of modern society and trends of
social work has been projected from both feminist perspectives as well as the perspectives of

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various other social movements. The traditional area and the current condition of social work
and the operational area have been critically examined to identify the scope of future
evaluation in the social works and its platforms. The importance of anti-oppression practices
and the role of community work for the effective practice of the moral responsibilities have
been discussed from the perspective of human rights.
In the sixth part of this paper, the author discussed the origins and evolution of system
theories with respect to the Functionalism, alternate consciousness, and psychic system. The
way of communication systems and its impact on the sociological development of mankind
have been examined. Finally, the current implementation of various social interactions like
social network and family work has been analyzed along with the practical explanation of
“The insensible child” theory (Dolgoff, Harrington & Loewenberg, 2012). At the end of this
paper, the author summarised the whole contents and theories by providing its
implementation in social work from a various perspective of social working practices. The
variation among the five groups of theories in social work has been briefly described in
tabular representation.
For a student of social work, this paper provides the fundamental concepts of sociological
theories and history of sociological practices. Through this book, the reader can have a basic
and transparent idea of various sociological perspectives, its history and its potential
implementation in the practical field. There are some case studies provided in this book to
examine the tangibility of the theories. However, the study is highly focused on the
theoretical developments of sociological fact and the concepts of social work that hinder the
realistic understanding of operational dilemmas of the discussed theories and concepts.
Reflection:

4BOOK REVIEW AND REFLECTIVE PIECE ON SOCIAL WORK
As a student of social work, the book ‘Five Theories in Social Work’ has given me the
opportunity to learn the fundamental concept of sociology and the evolution of social work
throughout the history of mankind. In the context of social work and its practice, this book
has helped me to understand various theories and approaches of social work with transparent
interconnectivity and relativity within these concepts (Dolgoff, Harrington & Loewenberg,
2012). However this book has provided me with a very precise and valuable idea of the
sociology and the objectives of social work, hence I have to read other literature on the
related topic to realize the attainability of these theories.
In order to progress in my career as a social worker, this book has provided a summarise
information about the sociological diversity and interpretation of human psychology that will
keep me motivated about my study as well as the implementation of my knowledge and
realization. The knowledge on psychological background of the social work has enabled me
to understand if any individual would need any psychological help to cope up with anxiety,
depression and other very common disorders (Gambrill, 2012). The books also allowed me to
have a closer observation on the current condition of sociological dilemmas from regional,
national and the global perspective.
On the basis of the dynamical growth of sociological interpretation, I can interpret various
advanced sociological theories and implementation within the social work practice. In spite
of the lack of knowledge of the physiological diversity of human being, I can gain some
additional realization about how various cultural interpretation of sociological model can
change their environment of social work and perspective. The advancement of various
theoretical models and framework allow implementing new innovative ideas that can make
the social works more efficient and less costly for the care-receivers.

5BOOK REVIEW AND REFLECTIVE PIECE ON SOCIAL WORK
Along with the practical implementation of my knowledge gathered from this book in my
career and further scope of the study, I can also use the knowledge to understand my own
behaviours and perspectives on lifestyle. This self-realization will allow me to grow my
capability of choosing the suitable way to make my life more stable and healthy from both
physiological and psychological aspects (Turner, 2017). On the other hand, the models
cannot be implemented directly in my daily life; however, these are highly influential for my
future development plan.
The independent approach of these theories will help me out to make more effective strategic
model and tactical implementation that will be more beneficial for both society and my
personal well being. The critical analysis of various theoretical model and implementations
will enable me to critically evaluate the advanced sociological concepts and their
implementation in modern society (Cane, O’Connor & Michie, 2012). Additionally, this text
has allowed me to appreciate the extensive character of different recovery movement as well
as establish my own perspectives within this and assessment of all perspectives counting my
own.
This book has reminded me that at the time of being a consumer I have still the situation for
implementing my ability as a social worker. This book has also made me realize that my
current and previous experiences are not enough to understand all obstacles of my consumers.
At the same time, this text has been thought me that I am equal to all consumers irrespective
of my knowledge, understanding, and realization of several social statuses (Turner, 2014). I
must maintain and protect the equality rather than assume its sustainable existence.
This book will help me to study the anti-oppressive framework by helping me through
providing adequate guidance on the associative group work and situational decision making. I
have also learned that experiencing tension is a necessary feature of being a critical and

6BOOK REVIEW AND REFLECTIVE PIECE ON SOCIAL WORK
successful social worker. This paper will also allow me to understand my discomfort in any
dissimilar situation as a step towards utilizing my interpersonal skills and intellectual
advantages.

7BOOK REVIEW AND REFLECTIVE PIECE ON SOCIAL WORK
References:
Cane, J., O’Connor, D., & Michie, S. (2012). Validation of the theoretical domains
framework for use in behaviour change and implementation research. Implementation
science, 7(1), 37.
Dolgoff, R., Harrington, D., & Loewenberg, F. M. (2012). Brooks/Cole Empowerment
Series: Ethical Decisions for Social Work Practice. Cengage Learning.
Gambrill, E. (2012). Social work practice: A critical thinker's guide. Oxford University
Press.
Turner, F. J. (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches. Oxford
University Press.
Turner, M. E. (2014). Groups at work: Theory and research. Psychology Press.