Charles R. Atherton

Chaos Theory: An Alternative Approach to Social Work Practice and Research

Complexity theory, better known as chaos theory, has much to offer social work as a frame of reference for dealing with the uncertainty that characterizes many social work practice issues. To encourage social workers to think in terms of chaos theory, we discuss the origins of the theory and a variety of ways in which it has been used in other fields. We suggest how chaos theory can provide a useful alternative way of thinking about social work practice and research.

Blue Smoke and Mirrors: The Continuum in Social Work Education.

Abstract The continuum between generalist and specialist is not as useful an organizing concept for social work education as its supporters believe. Instead, less ambiguous central organizing constructs are needed for baccalaureate and masters education. Instead of a continuum, the authors suggest that the two programs be conceived as independent entities. The baccalaureate degree should focus on the training of case managers in public service agencies. The masters degree should prepare graduates with specific skills and knowledge that represent genuinely advanced practice. This formulation calls into question the notion of a common professional foundation and eliminates the practice of granting advanced standing.

Empiricists versus Social Constructionists: Time for a Cease-Fire

The controversy between two sets of social work researchers and theorists has the potential to split the profession into warring camps. Both sides have cloaked their arguments in philosophical constructs that may not be familiar to practitioners. This article translates the discussion into straightforward language and suggests that the advocates of the “pure” science approach have the weaker position because they have made a pseudoreligion out of science.

The Multiculturalism Debate and Social Work Education: A Response to Dorothy Van Soest.

In an article in the Winter 1995 issue of the journal of Social Work Education, Dorothy Van Soest challenged social work professionals to debate competing perspectives on multiculturalism. Van Soest asserted that social work educators have failed to resolve hidden value conflicts about multiculturalism and, consequently, failed to carry out the theme in the social work curriculum. The authors contend that multiculturalism is the wrong construct to debate- that social work educators should be concerned instead with cultural diversity, and that Van Soest’s attack on social work education is unwarranted.

Cognitive Development and the “One Foundation” Controversy

Abstract Accreditation standards for graduate and undergraduate social work programs are based on the policy that there is a single professional foundation. But is this an appropriate policy if the undergraduate and graduate students are quite different in their developmental levels? This study compared the cognitive development of students beginning their social work education at the bachelors level with that of students beginning at the graduate level. Although the groups were similar in their levels of commitment and empathy, graduate students scored significantly higher in their ability to see situations in more mature and complex ways. If further research supports our contention that graduate students are at a higher level of cognitive development, is the same foundation content (which includes knowledge, skills, values, and experiential learning in the field) appropriate at both levels?

Priorities for the Professional Foundation: Differences by Program Level

This study addresses the degree of consensus between undergraduate program directors and dean and directors of masters degree programs on the priorities for content of the professional foundation courses in social work education. The findings suggest that there is remarkable agreement on the elements that should be included in the professional foundation. The study does not deal with the question of the degree of depth of coverage, but is limited to the question of priorities.

Is "Field of Practice" a Relevant Organizing Principle for the MSW Curriculum?.

Abstract This article uses data from a national sample of over 2,500 masters degree social workers to examine the relevance of “field of practice” as an organizing principle for the advanced social work curriculum. The respondents, all of whom were employed in direct practice in five major fields, were asked about the frequency with which they performed 131 tasks. The results indicate that there are not meaningful differences in tasks performed by MSWs employed in diverse fields. This suggests that specialization by field of practice is less useful than supposed. The authors conclude that the “advanced generalist” model is more congruent with the actual tasks performed by MSW workers.

The Attitudes about Reality Scale: A Note on the Use of Logical Positivism as a Construct

Abstract Ungers Attitudes About Reality Scale (AAR; Unger, Draper, & Pendergrass, 1986) is a promising new measure of the way people look at reality, but logical positivism is a questionable anchor construct for one end of the scale. Jackson and Jeffers (1989) suggest that the AAR measures a continuum of social versus individual determinism of social reality. This is probably a better interpretation of the scale.

Heuristics Versus Logical Positivism: Solving the Wrong Problem

In recent years, an argument has developed in social work research between supporters of the “heuristic paradigm” and the defenders of the traditional positivistic model. The authors believe that this is the wrong argument, and that supporters of the heuristic paradigm are really opposed to a kind of naive inductionism rather than science in general. The authors argue that the whole notion of paradigm shift obscures more than it clarifies and that the argument can be resolved by using an approach to science based on ideas advanced by Popper and Ravetz that avoids naive inductionism.

Turnover in state hospital social workers

This study reaffirms the findings of the smaller initial study and adds two important new findings. First, in this state system, while social workers believe that they should be performing more therapy, they appear to be committed to humane care. The chronicity of patient illness did not appear to discourage them from this commitment. Second, the problem in providing good patient care is that the state hospital has different expectations than those of the social workers. Emphasis on administrative tasks, oversupervision, focus on short-term patient care, were issues cited as hindrances to professional development. Social workers interviewed believe that these factors, among others, cause their colleagues to become frustrated and leave either for jobs that they feel will allow them more autonomy and professional discretion, or for private practice. In short, frustration with the bureaucracy appears to be responsible for the high turnover, and not the intent of social workers to use the state psychiatric hospital as a stepping stone to higher opportunities; nor is high turnover due to lack of support from longterm employees of the system.SummaryThis study reaffirms the findings of the smaller initial study and adds two important new findings. First, in this state system, while social workers believe that they should be performing more therapy, they appear to be committed to humane care. The chronicity of patient illness did not appear to discourage them from this commitment.Second, the problem in providing good patient care is that the state hospital has different expectations than those of the social workers. Emphasis on administrative tasks, oversupervision, focus on short-term patient care, were issues cited as hindrances to professional development. Social workers interviewed believe that these factors, among others, cause their colleagues to become frustrated and leave either for jobs that they feel will allow them more autonomy and professional discretion, or for private practice. In short, frustration with the bureaucracy appears to be responsible for the high turnover, and not the intent of social workers to use the state psychiatric hospital as a stepping stone to higher opportunities; nor is high turnover due to lack of support from longterm employees of the system.