Social work science

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The social work science is a practical science, to the group of people Sciences counts. It is primarily taught at universities of applied sciences ( universities of applied sciences ) and is the equivalent of the internationally used term "social work".

Definition of social work science (SAW) and epistemological classification

In addition to its own theories and models, social work science also makes use of approaches from psychology , sociology , economics , anthropology, law and administrative sciences, and education. The discussion about an exact definition of social work science is very controversial. There are also different definitions of the fields of work. One of the best-known theorists is Silvia Staub-Bernasconi , who was the first to design a coherent theoretical draft. She defines social work as a "human rights profession". In addition, the International Federation of Social Workers defines social work as follows:

Professional social work supports social change, problem solving in interpersonal relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to increase their well-being. Social work intervenes at the interface where people interact with their environment. The principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work.

Various theoretical approaches have developed in the search for the subject. A uniform object definition is therefore difficult. Lothar Böhnisch defines the subject as a social reaction to the fact of coping, Hans Thiersch as problems of underprivileged, the lack of material resources, i.e. poverty and support in stressed, underprivileged, marginalized living conditions. Silvia Staub-Bernasconi declares the subject of social work sciences as social problems in the narrower and broader sense as well as their solutions.

“Social work is committed to history, to the justice and equality of all people”. It defines social issues, makes them public and changes them, which is why it is closely related to social policy.

"With industrialization and the emergence of modern society, the social work sciences have developed as practice, science and training worldwide" The career is characterized, among other things, by a close link between science and training.

Since the end of the 19th century there have been international congresses, conferences and international organizations with members from all over the world. Research and development are carried out by various organizations, which currently include over 2000 schools, universities and institutions. "Every year around 9,000 graduates in Germany complete a degree in social work or pedagogy with a focus on social pedagogy." "In Germany, bibliographies on social work are regularly published; they come from several specialist disciplines and relate to the entire broad field of social work" . "There have been German-language journals for 150 years that contain scientific articles and report on research in social work" In Germany, members of the Scientific Community of Social Work are regularly in charge of the creation of youth, poverty and family reports on behalf of Federal and state governments involved.

History of Social Work Science

The establishment of a social work science has been increasingly demanded since the 1950s. It primarily ties in with the North American and welfare-scientific theoretical traditions of social work. But despite the clear target, only a few university professors deal with the problems of achieving this goal. It is important to know and expose the lines of tradition, history and development in order to name social work as a science. The term social work lies in the area of ​​tension between everyday life and professionalism or the incipient scientific approach. The following are examples of important stations in the history of social work science:

1950s:

  • Social work as a whole to restart social work after the end of the war
  • In this context the questions about the restructuring of the academization of social work and the reorganization of welfare services and welfare institutions had to be clarified
  • The idea was to develop the basis for an autonomous social work science that could be separated from social pedagogy
  • The response to the scientific and academic attempts in social work remained low

1960s:

  • Several attempts that the training for qualified teachers with a socio-educational orientation at universities is fully academic
  • Social pedagogy was established as a separate course of study at some universities as early as 1962, and thus recognized as a scientific discipline
  • Social pedagogy seems to have established itself as a central and important discipline for the scientific discussion of social work, nevertheless the term SAW appears in a publication by Anton Hunziker. Hunziker identified the core in methodology (similar to Lattke) in order to attest social work to its status as a practical and scientific discipline. Hunziker wants to differentiate himself from social education
  • Lattke sees a close relationship between social education and social work
  • Another demand for an independent SAW arouses great interest

1970s:

  • Pfaffenberger presents a sketch to determine the relationship between social pedagogy and SAW, in which it becomes clear that, despite many similarities, different topics are dealt with

1980s:

  • Emergence of new key words "self-help and self-organization". These are important for the development of social work and its methods
  • Call for economy and economy
  • Hans Thiersch develops the concept of "life-world-oriented social work" and shapes the theoretical development of social work
  • Albert Mühlum and Silvia Staub-Bernasconi promote the formation of theories through the increase in social importance, social problems as an object and increasing demands on the tasks of social work in the combination of practice, training and research and again demand the recognition of the discipline
  • Founding of the German Society for Social Work (DGS) in order to advance academic independence and academic discourse; today the German Society for Social Work (DGSA)

1990s: (= chaotic phase)

  • The book "Social Work as Science" by Ernst Engelke (1992) stimulates discussions about the scientific nature of social work
  • further debates and debates on the subject of science in general and the scientific nature of social work, as it were a "scientific revolution"
  • Social work (for many the less respected twin sister of social pedagogy) has only been given a modest place as a study course at technical colleges, although it would be just as important to address social problems and their solutions scientifically
  • The unique position of educational social pedagogues to establish social work as a separate science has been called into question since the beginning of 1990 by the constitution of social work science
  • Social pedagogical science claims to integrate social work
  • Social work scientists insist on the independent discipline to avoid pedagogical narrowing
  • There were three different positions in the discussion and in the power struggles:
  1. Proponents (especially the German Society for Social Work / mainly coming from universities of applied sciences): demand scientific recognition and disciplinary independence
  2. Opponents (especially the social pedagogy section of the German Society for Educational Science / mainly from the ranks of university social pedagogy): see the concerns of social work in scientific social pedagogy and deny the need for a social work discipline
  3. Mediator (from both disciplines): legitimate interests of both parties are linked by recognizing the different strands of theory and assigning them to an overarching science of "social work" or "science of social work".

Social Work Science Theories

Theories are relevant in social work science because they are instruments with which we can describe and explain our reality. They are also tools for professional practice and the basis for decisions about social work.

In social work science, the subject definition is very diverse and heterogeneous. Since there are different approaches to grasp reality, such as B. Phenomenology, Hermeneutics, Constructivism, etc., the theoretical approaches in social work science are very broad. This explains the variety of theories and theory models that pursue a different interest in knowledge and research different objects of knowledge. The final formation of theories ultimately depends on the method of thinking, the subject, and the knowledge objective and interest of the representative of social work. But also the theoretical approaches of the related sciences and their findings are relevant for the theoretical discussions in the science of social work. Thus the question arises whether and to what extent the theories of the related sciences should be included in the theoretical repertoire of social work science.

Because of these very diverse factors that play an important role in the formation of theories, a large number of different theories can be systematized in social work science. However, the categorizations of the theories do not always match, so that there are many different classifications. Werner Thole, for example, differentiates the theoretical approaches in theoretical traditions of social work:

  • Socio-educational lines of tradition : Representatives of this line of tradition are u. a. Natorp, Nohl, Aichhorn, Mollenhauer
  • Caring, welfare and social work tradition lines : Representatives of this tradition line are u. a. Wichern, Salomon, Klumker, Scherpner
  • newer theoretical tradition : representatives of this line of tradition are u. a. Wendt, Thiersch & Böhnisch, Staub-Bernasconi, Winkler

Peter Erath, on the other hand, differentiates between four theories of social work science, to which the everyday or lifeworld-oriented social work (Thiersch), social work as social help (Baecker), systemic-procedural social work (Staub-Bernasconi) and eco-social social work (Wendt ) belong.

Michael May compares five currents in which the current theoretical discourses in social work become clear. What is special about this approach is that, in addition to the classic theoretical approaches (everyday-oriented approaches, systems-theoretical approaches, discourse-analytical approaches & psychoanalytical approaches), it discovers its own theoretical tradition for social work science in the professionalization-theoretical approaches.

There are thus many different theories and theoretical approaches in social work science. In the science of social work, a distinction is made between two overarching currents: the professional and disciplinary theories. Accordingly, professional theories aim to improve the ability to act and provide specific knowledge for correct action in practice. The discipline theories, on the other hand, want to create basic theoretical knowledge and improve the justification competence for the actions of the social worker.

Research in social work

There are many different forms of social work research. These forms are categorized very differently into: research fields, research approaches, research levels, research types, research areas and research types. There are also forms of research in which a distinction is made according to the purpose and the scope of access to the research fields. Social work research tries to draw its relevance from both theory and practice of social work. According to Andreas Dexheimer (2011), the following forms can be distinguished with regard to research in social work science:

  • Basic research: Basic research is research, the formation of theories , the acquisition of basic knowledge or theoretical, categorical clarification, d. H. the definition and delimitation of technical terms , aims. The central task is to systematically relate the knowledge gained to each other and thereby interpret results from other research fields in a theory-guided manner in order to obtain statements with a claim to general validity .
  • Addressee research: Addressee research examines individual groups of people . You belong to the clientele of professional social work. Personal and social challenges, needs and demands are taken into account. The perspective is the description, reconstruction and analysis of the social situation of the addressees. Social institutions with which the addressees are in contact are just as important . The interventions to support the addressees are of particular interest .
  • Biography Research: For biographical research include social work studies relating with scientific methods on himself told life stories. This can refer to the entire biography as well as to individual sections. Through biographical research, on the one hand, profound knowledge about individual addressees or addressee groups of social work can be gained, and on the other hand it can be examined how social work institutions and problem-solving approaches work.
  • Ethnographic research: data collection and analysis of interaction and communication styles in a social unit; Socio-cultural living conditions, social structures, processes and problems of a foreign culture in its everyday, familiar environment, here social disadvantages, personal handicaps, critical life situations, social deviations, marginal milieus, social hot spots. Participant observation, interviews, expert discussions, group discussions.
  • Practical research: Empirical support and analysis of professional behavior and the causes of social problems as a trigger and assessment of the effects and consequences of professional behavior. Link analysis of needs, program and product development, implementation , organizational questions, evaluation , forms of intervention , economic resources, ecological conditions, personal competencies and legal status.
  • Action research: review, acquisition of theoretical knowledge. Concrete social needs should be recognized and perceived so that people can try to meet them: They should examine and develop their own practice by repeatedly relating their actions and reflections to one another. Scientists and "researched" should work together.
  • Evaluation research:

Subject: Practical action Task: Review of the extent to which a project / plan has met the previously set goals or has successfully implemented them.

  • Youth research:

Youth research summarizes research as the basis of a socio-educational reporting system, analyzes areas of activity in social education and planning processes .

  • Youth welfare research:

This research tradition deals with addressees and socially institutionalized practice. Target groups are children , teenagers , young adults and their families .

  • Secondary analysis:

Existing databases are scientifically evaluated. They mostly come from the state statistical offices, the federal statistical offices, supernational organizations or from other state and private institutions.

  • International social work research:

Researches similarities and differences between the fields of professionalism and the institutionalization of social work. In this way, nationally limited horizons of understanding, ways of thinking and repertoires of action can be expanded and theory building in social work can be enriched.

  • Historical social work research:

Here the social and welfare state developments are reconstructed in their historical dimension (extra-family and extra-curricular upbringing and education, professionalization and scientification).

Due to the many different research fields in social work science that are listed here as examples, it becomes clear that the field of possible questions is just as large as the practical field of social work. In addition to the individual research programs, three basic forms of social work science research can also be named. Each type of research is associated with a specific function or intention:

  • Evaluation - Research in Practice
  • Action research - research with practice
  • Basic research , social reporting - research for practice

While evaluation is practical, practical or action research represents a combination in the field of social work practice and social work science. Basic research that generates (meta) theories, for example, has the least practical relevance and thus represents a procedure within social work science. However - in the sense of action science - a contribution to practice is made here as well. All types of research can be carried out using quantitative and qualitative methods. In addition, both research methods can be combined ( triangulation ).

The related sciences of social work science

Due to its networking with other sciences (sociology, ethics, law, pedagogy, biology, medicine, economics, political science, history, philosophy and theology), social work science is a transdiscipline , but with its own specific issues and fields of action. The knowledge from these related sciences clarifies, among other things, three concerns of social work science: First, it provides information about people as individuals and provides knowledge about people and their biopsychosocial needs. Furthermore, they clarify the social dimension of human existence as well as features of social life and social problems. As a third concern, plausible value relationships and ethical core concerns are explained.

Study and examination regulations show that from the very beginning of the training, several scientific disciplines have been included and linked. The social work science consists of a large number of social work contents, which represent starting points for the related sciences. As a result, the relationship to the related sciences needs to be clarified precisely. The knowledge from the related sciences must not simply be further processed; the interpretation competence is incumbent on the reference science. However, this approach contradicts the scientific awareness of social work science. Consequently, an interpretation and classification of the knowledge in the social work science identity is necessary. Only then does it become clear what knowledge is needed by the related sciences and what specific concerns social work science can place on the related sciences. A uniform identity or object definition turns out to be very difficult due to the different theoretical approaches. The relationship between social work science and its related sciences has not yet been conclusively clarified.

Social work science and sociology: Differentiation of social science into autonomous functional systems: It is about pathological social conditions that can be explained and changed with scientific theories and models. Since the 1970s, the system has been consistently expanded to include aids such as B. through social work, social analysis, social planning. They are indispensable partners in the struggle for social security. Social work science is therefore dependent and independent of sociology. It depends on this as the most important reference science and yet remains essentially independent.

Social work science and pedagogy: Take note of the limits of plasticity and the determination of individual persons as a restriction of dealing with the handicapped, mentally ill, dementia patients etc. discussed by pedagogy and methodically take into account and develop alternatives. The pedagogy refers to the close connection between social work science and the biographical development of humans. In social work science, the perspective is only partially knowledge-guiding, because the focus is always on the fight against social problems and not on personal development.

Social work science and psychology: Take note of the learning, behavioral and therapeutic theories developed by psychology in order to recognize that help processes are highly complex. The proximity of social work science to psychology stems from the fact that one does not hold society, but essentially the individual himself, responsible for social problems. Psychology knows the individual causes of social problems. Social work needs explanatory theories and action models in the context of processing individual cases, group and community work, which can be provided in particular by developmental psychology or social psychology.

Social work science and political science: The creation of order in coexistence: The close connection between social work science and political science clarifies the connection between social policy and the need for state intervention, also in the area of ​​unspecific problems.

Social Work Science and Ethics: Ethics is the science of morals (manners, customs, values, norms, habits, institutions). The morality according to which we live well, act justly and decide sensibly about our actions and lives. Ethics are therefore indispensable for the legitimation of social work and its ethical principles (e.g. obligation to human rights, social justice, democratic principles).

Social work science and law: Social work science is based on legal regulations. Social, administrative, family, child and youth welfare law is shaped in many areas of social work by legal requirements. For example, contracts are concluded with clients and service providers and thus contractual rights are established.

Social work science and medicine: Medicine is the science of healthy and sick people, of the causes, phenomena and effects of their illness, their detection, treatment and prevention. Health and illness are often closely linked to social problems, so coping with and preventing social problems is often coupled with medical treatment. A disease can be a social problem (e.g. HIV), cause one (e.g. mania) or social problems can follow (e.g. developmental disorders). Therefore, for social work science, paediatrics, children , Adolescent and adult psychiatry, geriatrics and palliative medicine are relevant.

Social Work Science and History: The subject is methodological research into the past of people. Since social problems and the practice of preventing and coping with them are often the result of long-term development processes, it is important to systematically receive and process the results of historical research. In addition, one's own historical research of social work science is also taught.

Social Work Science and Theology: Theology deals with the beliefs of a religion. Diakonie and Caritas focus on people in physical need, in emotional distress and socially disadvantaged conditions. Diakonie and Caritas therefore see themselves as sub-disciplines of theology.

Models of linking social work science and its related disciplines

The link between social work science and its various related sciences can be expressed in different models, depending on the position and relationship between the disciplines. Engelke, Spatschek, Borrman. describe u. a. the following models:

Pure subject accumulation: In this model, the related sciences stand side by side as individual sciences on an equal basis but isolated. There is no explicit reference to social work and no interdisciplinary connection is discernible. The knowledge and the methods are added.

Subject accumulation with focus on the central subject: Here, social work science is in the middle as the “central subject”. The related sciences are individually and separately directed towards the central subject. Social work science dictates what the related sciences should deliver.

Related sciences become sub-disciplines: Certain contents and working methods of the individual related sciences are incorporated into sub-areas of social work and adapted to the issues of social work. Reference sciences are no longer considered as independent disciplines.

Problem and topic-centered orientation: In this model, the knowledge and methods of individual reference sciences are integrated problem-centered and topic-centered into social work science.

Synthesis model : This model assumes that the related sciences of social work “deal with different levels and aspects of human development and with spatially and temporally limited areas of human existence”. The synthesis model must therefore bundle different perspectives of the individual disciplines.

criticism

The term "social work science" is still being discussed critically. It is often seen in competition with the term " social pedagogy ", which as a discipline locates the science of social work within educational science . Critics of the term point out, for example, that with the delimitation of social work science, theoretical traditions and disciplinary roots, especially within pedagogy, are lost.

literature

  • Bernd Birgmeier, Eric Mührel (Ed.): The social work science and its theory (s). Positions, controversies, perspectives. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2009, ISBN 978-3-531-16137-2 .
  • N. Sidler: Sense and Use of a Social Work Science. A polemic. Lambertus Verlag, Freiburg im Breisgau 2004.
  • Peter Erath: Social Work Science. An introduction to Kohlhammer Verlag, Stuttgart 2006.
  • Jenö Bango: Social Work Science Today. UTB, Stuttgart 2001.
  • Albert Mühlum (ed.): Social work science - science of social work. Lambertus, Freiburg i.Br. 2004.
  • Ernst Engelke among other things: The science of social work. Career and basics. Lambertus, Freiburg 2009.
  • Ria Puhl (Ed.): Social Work Science. New opportunities for theory-based social work. Juventa, Weinheim / Munich 1996.
  • Heiko Kleve , Jan V. Wirth: The practice of social work science. An introduction. Schneider, Hohengehren 2009.
  • Silvia Staub-Bernasconi: Social work as action science. UTB, Stuttgart 2007.
  • Silke B. Gahleitner among others: Discipline and profession of social work. Barbara Budrich, Opladen 2010

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Ernst Engelke, Christian Spatscheck, Stefan Borrmann: The science of social work. Lambertus Verlag, Freiburg 2009, p. 240.
  2. ^ Ernst Engelke, Christian Spatscheck, Stefan Borrmann: The science of social work. Lambertus Verlag, Freiburg 2009, p. 242.
  3. ^ Ernst Engelke, Christian Spatscheck, Stefan Borrmann: The science of social work. Lambertus Verlag, Freiburg 2009, p. 250.
  4. ^ Ernst Engelke, Christian Spatscheck, Stefan Borrmann: The science of social work. Lambertus Verlag, Freiburg 2009, p. 251.
  5. ^ Ernst Engelke, Christian Spatscheck, Stefan Borrmann: The science of social work. Lambertus Verlag, Freiburg 2009, p. 252.
  6. ↑ Bernd Birgmeier: Social work as science. Volume 1: Lines of Development 1990-2000. Wiesbaden 2012.
  7. ↑ Johannes Herwig-Lempp: Which theory does social work need? In: social magazine. 2/2003, pp. 12-21.
  8. ↑ B. Birgmeier, E. Mührel: Scientific foundations of social work. Hofheim / Ts. 2012, pp. 92-96.
  9. ↑ Johannes Herwig-Lempp: Which theory does social work need? In: social magazine. 2/2003, p. 17.
  10. ↑ Werner Thole: Social work - practice, theory, research and training. In: Werner Thole (Hrsg.): Grundriss Soziale Arbeit. Wiesbaden 2011, pp. 19–70.
  11. ↑ Peter Erath: Social Work Science - An Introduction. Stuttgart 2006.
  12. ↑ Michael May: Current theoretical discourses on social work. Wiesbaden 2011.
  13. ↑ B. Birgmeier, E. Mührel: Scientific foundations of social work. Hofheim / Ts. 2012, pp. 97-101.
  14. ↑ Andreas Dexheimer: Research in Social Work - A Contribution to a Multidimensional Methodological Foundation. Bad Heilbrunn 2011.
  15. ^ A. Schneider: Research perspectives in social work. Schwalbach / Ts. 2009, p. 18.
  16. ↑ Thomas Schumacher: Social work and its related sciences. Volume 12, Lucius Verlag 2011, pp. 1–4, pp. 19–22.
  17. ↑ Peter Erath: Social Work Science. An introduction. Kohlhammer Verlag, 2006, pp. 26–37.
  18. ^ Ernst Engelke, Christian Spatscheck, Stefan Borrmann: The science of social work. Lambertus Verlag, Freiburg 2009, pp. 299-311.
  19. ^ Ernst Engelke, Christian Spatscheck, Stefan Borrmann: The science of social work. Lambertus Verlag, Freiburg 2009, p. 308ff.
  20. ↑ Engelke among others: The science of social work. Career and basics. 2009, p. 310
  21. ^ Albert Scherr: Social Work Science . In: Grundriss Soziale Arbeit . VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2012, ISBN 978-3-531-18616-0 , p. 283-296 , doi : 10.1007 / 978-3-531-94311-4_13 .
  22. ^ Mührel, Eric .: The social work science and its theory (s) positions, controversies, perspectives . VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften / GWV Fachverlage GmbH, Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden 2009, ISBN 978-3-531-91699-6 .
  23. ^ Mührel, Eric .: Theory formation in social work Developments in social pedagogy and social work science . VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2011, ISBN 978-3-531-18170-7 .
  24. ^ Albert Scherr: Social Work Science . In: Grundriss Soziale Arbeit . VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2012, ISBN 978-3-531-18616-0 , p. 283-296 , doi : 10.1007 / 978-3-531-94311-4_13 .