Pranab Chatterjee

Ideology, Scientific Theory, and Social Work Practice

This article discusses the philosophical and ideological nature of theory and examines the ways ideology becomes infused into social work theory and practice. The use of critical thought and specific evaluation criteria based on consistency with social work values are proposed.

Two Tails of Justice

It is argued that justice is a form of group behavior, and that there are basically five types of justice: protective, corrective, restorative, distributive, and representational. Corrective and protective justice, for the most part, help attain social control and strengthen existing social order. Distributive and representational justice often help the marginalized and disadvantaged members of a group. Restorative justice is in the middle, and performs both functions. Thus, justice seems to have two tails, similar to that found in a normal curve in statistics. One of these tails, where corrective and protective justice help support the existing social order of groups, provides social stability. The other tail, where distributive and representational justice support the vulnerable and the marginalized members of a group, generates the thrust for social change. Social workers need to understand the proper role of both of these tails.

Spending Behaviors: Implications for Human Service Practitioners

Recent studies in consumer behavior have focused on characteristics of a group of “compulsive consumers” and the urge to buy in a general population. However, little has been published on the assessment or treatment of dysfunctional spending behaviors. This article (1) sets forth a heuristic continuum of spending behaviors, (2) provides several case examples to illustrate the continuum, (3) offers suggestions for assessment and therapeutic intervention, and (4) sets forth an agenda for practice-based research on spending behaviors.

Nonprofit Management as a Semi-Profession

A central question is pursued in this paper: What knowledge can sociology offer to assess the professionalization of nonprofit management? The question is answered from fieldwork done by the authors. Using criteria developed by scholars like Flexner, Greenwood, and other current researchers, the authors argue that nonprofit management has become an identifiable profession, but its professional status and prestige remain that of a semi-profession. Participant observation of one university-based program is utilized to explore the professional status of nonprofit management.