Ecological Perspective: An Eclectic Theoretical Framework for Social Work Practice

Abstract

This chapter traces the roots of the ecological perspective and outlines its primary assumptions. It discusses the benefits for practice of selected concepts encompassed in the ecological perspective to intervene in for individual, group, and community practice. A broad framework that synthesizes ideas from a number of human behavior and social work practice theories, the ecological perspective offers a rich, eclectic social work knowledge and practice base. Despite questions about its clinical usefulness, there are a number of reasons for the growing acceptance of the ecological perspective as a practice approach. First, the ecological approach is a further extension of the social work profession's long-standing interest in service modalities directed toward enhancing both the intrapsychic life of the client and the client's environmental condition or situation. Second, the perspective addresses the person-in-environment as one entity. Third, the ecological perspective combines concepts from many disciplines that deal with growth-inducing experiences.

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