Joel Fischer

Do Social Workers Understand Research

Abstract This paper reports the results of a survey experiment in which a national sample of NASW members was presented with systematically altered versions of a summary of a hypothetical study of casework effectiveness and asked to make judgments about the quality of the research, its importance to social work, and its significance for their own practice. It was found that although respondents distinguished between studies with good and bad research designs, their judgments of the quality of the research and its implications for their own practice were significantly influenced by whether the findings were positive or negative.

Self-modification of exercise behavior

Abstract This paper describes the use of a self-behavior modification program to successfully increase exercise behavior.

Statistical Training for Social Workers

Abstract The increased emphasis on research content in the last few years has prompted confusion and disagreement over the extent and type of research content to be included in curricula. The debate has been particularly intensive over the extent to which social workers should be trained in statistics, resulting in an enormous variation among social workers in their ability to understand and undertake statistical analyses. This paper establishes the value of statistical training for social workers, assesses current levels of training, presents general educational principles for statistical training, and proposes bachelors, masters, and doctoral statistical curricula that will cover the continuum of statistical methodologies in three separate, but interrelated segments.

A Framework for the Analysis and Comparison of Clinical Theories of Induced Change

This paper proposes a framework for the analysis of one important source of social work knowledge: clinical theories of induced change. Criteria for analysis are grouped into five categories: (a) structural characteristics of the theory; (b) characteristics as a theory of therapy; (c) empirical status; (d) assumptions and moral implications; and (e) applicability for social work.

The Validity of the Personal Orientation Inventory for Measuring the Effects of Training for Therapeutic Practice

The present study examines the effects of training counselors for the core therapeutic conditions of empathy, warmth, and genuineness in terms of increased levels of actualizing as measured by the Personal Orientation Inventory. Findings revealed significant differences between the experimental group and the contrast and control groups on the major Inner Directed scale and significant positive pretest to posttest changes for the experimental group on subscales of Spontaneity, Self-Regard, and Synergy. Correlations between POI scales and independent ratings of the core conditions showed that all three conditions of empathy, warmth, and genuineness were significantly related to the Inner Directed, Feeling Reactivity, and Spontaneity scales and that genuineness was also significantly correlated with the Synergy scale.

Use of a commonly available chore to reduce a boy's rate of swearing

Abstract This study demonstrates through an ABAB design the use of a readily available contingency in the form of a chore to decrease undesired behavior. Window washing was made contingent on an 11-yr-old boys swearing at the dinner table, resulting in an immediate and lasting decrease in the boys swearing.

Portents from the Past: What Ever Happened to Social Diagnosis?

For decades the caseworker has occupied the throne of the social work profession, admired, respected, and occasionally even envied by his colleagues in other specialities... But lately monarchies have fallen on hard times everywhere, and the caseworker is no exception. If the caseworker still occupies the throne, he sits there less securely. There is open talk of revolt within the palace walls. 6 (pp. 5, 6)

Adlerian family counseling: An evaluation

Abstract A number of studies have been reported recently evaluating the effects of one or another form of intervention based on Adlerian principles (Freeman, 1975; Croake and Burness, 1976; Berrett, 1975; McKay, 1976; see also McDonough, 1976, for a review of other studies). Unfortunately, there are a number of problems in attempting to draw any general conclusions from these studies. First, a number of different types of Adlerian-based programs have been included, such as mother study groups, undefined parent study groups, and so on. Second, many of the studies were uncontrolled so that statements regarding the causes of any changes cannot be inferred. Third, many of the studies did not utilize adequate measures of child behavior (positive changes in which are an important goal of Adlerian family education programs), and instead relied on changes in parent attitudes.

Book Review: Cognitive Processes and Emotional Disorders: A Structural Approach to PsychotherapyCognitive Processes and Emotional Disorders: A Structural Approach to Psychotherapy. By GuidanaV. F. and LiottiG.New York: Guilford Press, 1983. 347 pp.

well chosen. The articles, for the most part, are well written, conceptually as well as practically focused, and enlivened by case examples of group interactions and activities. Details are provided about promising techniques and difficulties encountered so that practitioners who wish to establish similar groups can find guidelines for their work and avoid mistakes. The groups portrayed illustrate the creative and facilitative way in which group workers can approach client needs. The editor states in the preface that group psychotherapy is carried out via many different approaches. Among those represented in the shortterm groups reported on here are the psychoanalytic, behavioral, consciousness-raising, activity group, and existential ones. No matter which model was used, the authors often note that at least parts of the group sessions were structured and that preplanned exercises were utilized. This seemed to be done to insure continuity in open-ended groups, to focus group activity quickly, and to capitalize on previously standardized activities to meet client goals. While the practices described are typically sound, very little research data is given concerning these groups. A few articles do report on research, but one would hope to find it consistently represented in a major handbook. Often, short-term therapy is granted less status by professionals than long-term work. This book helps to correct that view and gives recognition to the work of practitioners who have organized and run shortterm groups because they meet the needs of their clients. Another positive feature of the book is its attention to hard-to-reach clients. Much of the grouptherapy literature is directed at the verbal middleclass client, and it is satisfying to the social worker to discover a book which does not perpetuate this bias. In addition, more than one-third of the articles describe open-ended groups where membership changes periodically. This common practice is seldom highlighted in other group-therapy texts. A Handbook of Short-Term Therapy Groups is a useful addition to the group-therapy literature, particularly in making the reader cognizant of this form of treatment. It does not, however, add to a general conceptualization of short-term focused group work nor does it extend the subject of group therapy in an integrated way. Individual articles give the reader a firm grasp of how short-term group therapy can be successfully implemented for a variety of purposes with many types of clients. In this way, the book contributes to the further development of this critical area of group work practice.