Structural Change Theory

Structural Change Theory

Definition:"Structural change is a complex, intertwined phenomenon, not only because economic growth brings about complementary changes in various aspects of the economy, such as the sector compositions of output and employment, organization of industry, etc., but also these changes in turn affect the growth process." (Matsuyama)

Application: Undertstanding structural changes within a community and the impact this structure can have on the community such a job loss, access to resources and migration. So being aware of these strutters within a community and  changes within them.

Adaptation:This theory is widely used in economics to understand the impact structural changes have on the economy.

Basic crisis theory

Basic crisis theory

Definition:  "theory and intervention directed toward sufferers of loss/grief. Normal grief behaviors include:  (1) preoccupation with the lost one, (2) identification with the lost one, (3) expressions of guilt and hostility, (4) some disorganization in daily routine, and (5) some evidence of somatic complaints. These responses are not abnormal nor pathological." (Lindemann, 1944)

Application: Within the social work profession there will be an unmeasurable amount of time where you will have to deal with an individual/community in crisis. It is important that you can recognize the crisis and use best practices to intervene if needed. 

Adaptation: This theory can be used in any discipline that works with individuals because there will always be some form of crisis that will occur and others should be well equipped to deal with them. 

Constructivist Theory

Constructivist Theory

Definition: "learning is an active process in which learners construct new ideas or concepts based upon their current/past knowledge." (Jerome Bruner)

Application: Understanding how individuals may come up with ideas or people within a community. As allies it will be important to understand how people within a community come up with the ideas especially if tit has a strong ties to the communities current or past concerns. 

Adaptation:This theory can be used across many disciplines to understand past present and even future aspects of how something was constructed.

Reception Theory

Reception Theory

Definition: "Jauss argued that literary works are received against an existing horizon of expectations consisting of readers' This new paradigm of literary criticism pays attention to the function of the reader in a process of literary experience." (Jauss, 1984)

Application: This theory is useful to understand how media can be perceived cross culturally throughout time. Also help when framing ideas to various communities each community is different so how you frame something will receive different receptions based on the community or group. 

Adaptation: The theory is commonly used in media and communications to understand how various constructs determine how individuals read media. 

Elite Theory

Elite Theory

Definition: " the generalization that nearly all political power is held by a relatively small and wealthy group of people sharing similar values and interests and mostly coming from relatively similar privileged backgrounds." It examines how the power elite can dictate goals within systems. (Field and Higley, 1980)

Application: This theory is important within social work and community development because it examines PODS. Understanding the privilege power brings to a few elite and how it can be problematic for the larger majority. This power dynamic can be seen on all levels including the community level. 

Adaptation: A key example of elite theory is within the American economic system where that 1% controls a lot of American affairs including American politics. This is very problematic because only their voices are begin heard because of the amount of money they have. 

Structural Strain Theory

Structural Strain Theory

Definition: The theory is apart of the functionalist perspective on deviance, it explains if an individual does not have the means needed to obtain cultural goals it can lead to deviant behavior. (Robert Morton)

Application: It can help in understanding some of the issues going in within a community like crime and low educational attainment. If you can understand what is the root cause of "deviant behavior" or community issues then you ca begin to work towards a solution.

Adaptation: This theory can be used in criminology, sociology and  psychology when working with individuals who may have been deemed deviant and helping to get to the root cause or at least understanding the cause of such behaviors.

Pluralist Theory

Pluralist Theory

Definition: Pluralist Theory focus on how power is distributed. I emphasizes how a group may hold power in one or two groups but struggle within another.

Application: Understanding power dynamics within a community is crucial. Understanding the distribution of power and how it impacts those who hold power and those who don't as well as how this power is impacting issues within the community.

Adaptation: This theory is used widely in politics in understanding the weaknesses and strengths or where someone may hold power or lack it.

Social Learning Theory

 Social Learning Theory'

Define: That behavior is learned through observing what is going within the environment (Albert Bandura, 1977), "he believed "humans are active information processors and think about the relationship between their behavior and its consequences. Observational learning could not occur unless cognitive processes were at work"

Application: An individuals community or environment has a huge impact on the outcomes of individuals. So its important to understand this environmental issues going in within communitties and trying to address them.

Adaptation:  It can be used in a school or child development center where kids are. It can also be used  in by urban planners to understand a community or region and helping to address issues that may have been generational.

Object-relations theory

Object-Relations Theory

Definition: Object-Relations is a variation of psychoanalytic theory that places an emphasis on the role of relationships built during infancy particularly with a mother and her child and the implications it has on later behavior. (Klein) 

Application: I can be used for understanding familial dynamics whithin a community especially when working with families on a more interpersonal level. It can also be used in programming for new mothers and infancy.

Adaptation: This is a theory that is used in sociology in understanding individual relationships and bonds. it can also be used by healthcare providers who work with infants and toddlers to help educate parents and other relational figures.

Sociobiology Theory

Theory: Sociobiology Theory 


Definition: It is the belief that animals including humans behavior should be analyzed in terms of evolutionary considerations. The theory is a branch of the natural selection theory. “Systematic study of the biological basis of all social behavior” (Wilson, 1975)

Application: It can be utilized it better understanding human behavior and interactions between humans. Understanding the evolution of humans over time and their interactions can be of great us when bring communities together. 

Adaptation: This theory is heavily used by both biologists and sociologist in understanding human behavior and evolution throughout time. It is also used in ecology to explain behaviors throughout evolution