Describe how a social worker would conceptualize a presenting problem related to structural issues or barriers that contribute to a client’s marginalization using the two theories you selected. Upon reviewing the assigned readings related to theoretical approaches in regard to Psychological Theories of Poverty, I choose theories that demonstrate both the individual-related, and structural/cultural-related theories that address conceptualized representation of forseen structural issues and or barriers that further contribute to society’s experienced marginalization. The initial theory that represents individual related perspective, would be the ecological theory which in a sociological lens connects social entities with their environments. The two mentioned methods that are fundamental to the ecological theory are “adaptation and selection”. Adaptation can be referred as the process by which an entity modifies, in order to survive optimally within its given environment; selection is the process that highlights the less adapted to a set environments condition (Aldric, 1979). The ecological theory essentially can be known to emphasize one’s attention to the behavior of the social environment, and the nature of resiliency observed by behavior demonstrated (Turner & Lehning, 2007). The second theory, I elected to reference that I believe further referenced the marginalization contributed to issues and barriers is the naturalizing perspective theory in conjunction with the cultural-relativistic perspective, which validates that intrinsic biological factors that may lead to poverty in addition to suggesting that poorer communities experience different culture exposures from the rest of society. The culture of poverty theory focuses on the role social environments create in a culture of poverty, individuals classified in this category are more likely to experience family tensions, lack of refined emotions, along additional persistent familial, economical, and medical concerns (Turner & Lehning, 2007). This theory further explores the lack or poor political, economical, and social freedom that individuals are deprived of. Moreover, both theories allow social workers to further expand on issues that further debilitate communities that are more necessitated than others, among identifying the lack of resources, and or neglect of the targeted population. In which case, Social Workers can take it upon themselves to further facilitate further insight on resources the respected communities and or clients would benefit from yet utilizing cultural humility and competency. Explain how this conceptualization differs from an individual-related versus a structural/cultural-related theoretical lens. The conceptualized differences related to individual related, and cultural/structural related theories can be the complexities associated to the related theories. Social dysfunctionality specifically between the discomfort associated with culture and race is an eviden ...

1. Describe how a social worker would conceptualize a presenting
problem related to structural issues or barriers that contribute to
a client’s marginalization using the two theories you selected.
Upon reviewing the assigned readings related to theoretical
approaches in regard to Psychological Theories of Poverty, I
choose theories that demonstrate both the individual-related,
and structural/cultural-related theories that address
conceptualized representation of forseen structural issues and or
barriers that further contribute to society’s experienced
marginalization. The initial theory that represents individual
related perspective, would be the ecological theory which in a
sociological lens connects social entities with their
environments. The two mentioned methods that are fundamental
to the ecological theory are “adaptation and selection”.
Adaptation can be referred as the process by which an entity
modifies, in order to survive optimally within its given
environment; selection is the process that highlights the less
adapted to a set environments condition (Aldric, 1979). The
ecological theory essentially can be known to emphasize one’s
attention to the behavior of the social environment, and the
nature of resiliency observed by behavior demonstrated (Turner
& Lehning, 2007). The second theory, I elected to reference that
I believe further referenced the marginalization contributed to
issues and barriers is the naturalizing perspective theory in
conjunction with the cultural-relativistic perspective, which
validates that intrinsic biological factors that may lead to
poverty in addition to suggesting that poorer communities
experience different culture exposures from the rest of society.
The culture of poverty theory focuses on the role social
environments create in a culture of poverty, individuals
classified in this category are more likely to experience family
tensions, lack of refined emotions, along additional persistent
familial, economical, and medical concerns (Turner & Lehning,
2007). This theory further explores the lack or poor political,

2. economical, and social freedom that individuals are deprived of.
Moreover, both theories allow social workers to further expand
on issues that further debilitate communities that are more
necessitated than others, among identifying the lack of
resources, and or neglect of the targeted population. In which
case, Social Workers can take it upon themselves to further
facilitate further insight on resources the respected communities
and or clients would benefit from yet utilizing cultural humility
and competency.
Explain how this conceptualization differs from an individual -
related versus a structural/cultural-related theoretical lens.
The conceptualized differences related to individual related, and
cultural/structural related theories can be the complexities
associated to the related theories. Social dysfunctionality
specifically between the discomfort associated with culture and
race is an evident variable that allows social workers to
perceive this complexity in a social work lens (Glazer, 2000).
An individualized lens assesses factors that influence an
individual in conjunction to their environment, education,
underlying medical conditions i.e., mental illnesses, as a cause
of their poverty (Turner & Lehning, 2007). Moreover,
individual related versus structural and or cultural theoretical
concepts are the differences between the environment being the
causation of poverty, and underlying health/mental illnesses
being the rooted cause of poverty.
Compare how the two theoretical lenses differ in terms of how
the social worker would approach the client and the problem
and how the social worker would intervene.
The approach I would elect to employ when managing the
situation of poverty which is predominately the issue, and or
barrier predominately known amongst the theoretical lenses we
are assessing; would be skill sets such as empathy,
understanding, cultural humility, competency both culturally,
and knowledge wise, along with empowering. In taking an
empathetic approach, I am able to further develop my rapport,

3. and connection with my targeted client and or population. When
utilizing an individualized theory such as the ecological theory
to treat a client, as a practitioner I would evaluate the types of
psychosocial interventions, along with medication management
that aid in promoting self-efficacy in psychiatric and overall
medical wellness for a client, and or targeted group. In
comparison to my selected structured-related theory such as that
of the culture of poverty theory, the approach I would apply as
the social worker would be that of utilizing structured
assessment tools such as Sociograms, Ecomaps, Culturagrams,
among the many tools that aid in creating systematic methods to
further promote problem-solving or processing for client issues.
In addition to this, this structured tool provides practitioners
with structure, and a framework to observe and assess/record
environmental conditions.
References:
Aldrich, Howard. 1979. Organizations and Environments.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Glazer, N. (2000). Disaggregating Culture. In L.E. Harrison and
S.P. Huntington (Eds.). Culture Matters. (pp. 219-230).
Turner, K., & Lehning, A. J. (2007). Psychological theories of
poverty. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment,
16(1–2), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.1300/J137v16n01_05
Engaging Economic Change: Lessons from American History
Sharon Harrison
08/03/2021
My presentation today is about some lessons we can learn from
history to better help people today as they try to succeed in the
face of rapid economic changes. This organization that
dedicates itself to helping those who are unemployed or looking
for some better job situation, has asked me to do a short review

4. of this issue historically so that we can glean some lessons for
how best to help.
OUTLINE
My Topic
Industrial Revolution
Great Migration
Factory Work
Post-WWII – Ending Difficult Years with Hopes
Making Connections – Now and the Future
Information Age – Bookstores
Making Connections – Now and the Future
Sources
My presentation will be in six parts as shown here. I have
selected some examples, using both primary sources and
secondary sources. These examples are ones we can learn
from.
Topic
What happens when the workplace changes because of shifts in
the types of work?
Examples of such transformations in US History include the
transition to the Industrial Revolution, the transition from the
Great Depression and WWII economy to the boom of the 1950s,
and the rise of the Information Age we are still experiencing.
People adjusted by moving to areas with more job opportunities,
improving their education and training profile, and making
lifestyle and career changes. They needed an agile mindset that
embraced change and vigorously sought new opportunities.
To be more specific, our topic asks a question and finds ways

5. this has been answered in the past. What happens when the
workplace changes because of shifts in the types of work?
Examples of such transformations in US History include the
transition to the Industrial Revolution, the transition from the
Great Depression and WWII economy to the boom of the 1950s,
and the rise of the Information Age we are still experiencing.
People adjusted by moving to areas with more job opportunities,
improving their education and training profile, and making
lifestyle and career changes. They needed an agile mindset that
embraced change and vigorously sought new opportunities.
Industrial Revolution
Many Problems:
Going from farm or former work to factories—major
adjustment in every way—new type of work and workplace
Factories with poor working conditions and safety standards
Child Labor; too often low wages; prejudices; new tasks
The INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION took off in the United States
in the late 1800s and early 1900s; and was reinvigorated by
World War II’s war economy. These changes were going to
happen no matter what individuals preferred in terms of their
former mode of life. People must work and eat. The new
economy meant more factories, more mining, new systems of
work and production that few could evaluate until change was
upon them. There were adjustments for people to make—going
from farm work to factory work, relocating, developing new
skills and expectations for a new type of workplace. The new
system was originally very unregulated, so problems of
exploitation---poor working conditions, unsafe workplaces,
child labor, often low wages, etc. But, the increase in
productivity and profitability of the new economy was

6. unmistakable. The old ways of work would not be so available.
People must change to survive or succeed.
Great Migration
African Americans
1915-1940: Migrating from Jim Crow south to new factory
jobs in north
Evidence: Letter to the Chicago Defender “
Sir I will thank you with all my heart”
One of the great examples of courageous and necessary change
can be found by the thousands of African Americans who
considered and then took part in the Great Migration between
1915 and 1940. African Americans stuck in the Jim Crow south
found it hard to make a living. They looked to move north—
scouted for guidance and opportunities.
EXAMPLE: African Americans who were a part of this
migration wrote to northern newspapers, desperately trying to
connecting with a northern newspapers, like the Chicago
Defender, for help. They would write about their hardships and
trying to escape, but urged the newspaper to “please don’t
publish my letter” as the migration was starting to cause tension
between African Americans and Whites in the South.
LESSON: Jobs don’t come to you. You have to take action and
look and ask. When job searching, in every communication,
emphasize your ethic of hard work. People need to seek
guidance for doing a job search—and the location of such jobs,
while also showing a willingness to move there.

7. Factory Work
Factory Work and New Skills
Mastery of specialized tasks
Close supervision and monotony
Located in new areas
Some—like Ford—paid well
Productivity a must
Adjusting to new factory work involved new skills and
specialized tasks. They also had to learn to tolerate close
supervision, perhaps monotonous work, and too often low
wages. This next example comes from an NPR report that
reflects back on Henry Ford’s early factories that produced the
Model T in the period in that decade between 1910 and 1920
and then beyond. The article points out Ford’s assembly line
and his decision to pay his workers well, a decision made when
businesses generally aimed to pay the lowest wage possible to
keep overall costs down . The article discusses Ford’s motives
and the assembly line that used conveyor belts and workers
having very specialized task as parts came by.
LESSONS: For business owners, one can learn to look for
efficiency by using innovations in technology (electricity;
conveyor belts) and innovations in method (assembly line;
mastery of specialized tasks; and paying well). For workers —
we learn it is important to seek jobs with those who pay well
and to learn new specialized skills, and to recognize that job
monotony or some other drawback can be the trade-off.
Post-WWII—Ending Difficult Years with Hopes
Consider the previous Years of Difficulty:

8. Great Depression of 1929-1939
World War II economy—women in factories; rationing; many
abroad at war
When the War did end, the US was now well-positioned
economically for the 1950s economic boom
War industries in place—converting to peacetime
For most, many new opportunities for work with good wages
Massive investments made education and training opportunities
widely available
Many took advantage of new education opportunities; rising
incomes, and being consumers of new types of goods
This slide is based on a textbook’s description of the 1950s
economy, and it is generally one historians agree with. This is
a secondary source that describes America’s economic
transition out of Depression and the World War II economy. It
points out that, despite economic weariness, the historical
context gave the United States a major advantage in the global
economy; new industries had developed during the war; and the
workforce had also changed. It points out especially new
innovations in Real Estate and Insurance that allowed for
widespread home ownership and insurance coverage for sound
use of money. But, it also points out the massive investment in
education that allowed the work force of the 1950s to become
well –prepared for work in the new economy.
LESSONS: The importance of EDUCATION and TRAINING in
new skills to successfully take part in a new economy. The
importance of identifying new possibilities for using one’s
money to invest in the future.
Making Connections - Now and the Future
The INFORMATION AGE has replaced the INDUSTRIAL AGE
in recent decades

9. With it there are new types of workplaces and new types of
work
Sometimes old work places get replaced.
Other times they get transformed.
This slide updates the history to our own time. We have been
living in another major period of economic transition to what
historians call the INFORMATION AGE. This change is still in
process, though now some see a new age dawning with the
advent of artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, etc. As you
have observed in recent years, computer and internet skills have
become basic in everything from job searching to the skills
required for even basic tasks in the 21st century workplace.
Workplaces have been changed, and so has the work they do.
Some workplaces have just become outmoded and replaced.
Information Age -Bookstores
Example of traditional bookstore
Interview with bookstore owner Eric Kelley (2009)
Report on situation and prospects for traditional bookstore in
2009
Ways to adjust and survive
Realism and change
This is an example that might be familiar—the traditional
bookstore trying to adjust and survive in the Information Age.
The primary person interviewed is Eric Kelley, owner of the
Book Den—specializing in antiquarian books. But, Kelley a

10. traditional bookstore owner, is trying to adjust to a new
Information Age market situation that includes major online
competition like Amazon. The article observes the 2009 market
and sees the struggles then of Borders and even Barnes and
Noble, and also just about every bookseller. Kelley had decided
to make online selling part of his business, and by 2009 online
sales were 40 percent of his business. That has enabled him to
survive. But, competition is very steep—and the future looked
very difficult. There is the notion that the personal experience
of the bookstore and holding the book and emphasizing the
friendly, family-type, social atmosphere will add something the
internet sellers cannot do. But, the article points out several
other traditional area bookstores that have closed up.
LESSONS: For a business owner—or for one working in a
particular field, one must keep adjusting to new market
realities, adjusting the approach and strategy. Emphasize strong
points and adjust to ne market opportunities. But, also be
realistic. Sometimes a certain type of business or career is
changing too much to keep it viable for work and income. That
change must be considered also. Perhaps one must change
career or change to join the new types of ventures that have
replaced your older one.
Making Connections - Now and the Future
FACING ECONOMIC CHANGE :
Lessons for Today and the Future
Embrace economic change instead of resisting it; Expect
change; realize change is often difficult but you can do it
Seek opportunities actively—know your skills and limits; sell
yourself
Seek education and training in new skills and new types of work
environments
Cultivate the quality of AGILITY—willingness to change,
move, etc—and the capacity to change

11. So, what have we learned and how to does this organization go
forward. For those facing the rapid changes in our economy, we
have gleaned some valuable lessons.
Embrace economic change instead of resisting it; Expect
change; realize change is often difficult but you can do it
Seek opportunities actively—know your skills and limits; sell
yourself
Seek education and training in new skills and new types of work
environments
Cultivate the quality of AGILITY—willingness to change,
move, etc—and the capacity to change
As this service organization strives to help those who are
struggling and economically stuck, these lessons from history
can guide how we assist and in what programs we invest. I list
my sources on the next slide, and I thank you for your attention.
Sources
Conclusion: Post War Economy. (n.d.).
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-
ushistory/chapter/conclusion-post-war-america/
Cweik, S. (2014, January 27). The Middle Class Took Off 100
Years Ago ... Thanks to Henry Ford?. NPR.
https://www.npr.org/2014/01/27/267145552/the-
middle-class-took-off-100-years-ago-thanks-to-henry-ford
Goldschein, E. (2011, August 29). 10 Lessons from People Who
Lived Through the Depression. Business Insider.
https://www.businessinsider.com/lessons-from-
people-who-lived-through-the-depression-2011-8
Kornell, S. (2009, Feb. 12). The Uncertain Fate of Independent
Bookstores. Santa Barbara Independent.
https://www.independent.com/2009/02/12/uncertain-
fate-independent-bookstores/
McNaughton, F. (1935, 16 April). Flying Dust Dries up Hope
for Southwest’s Salvation. The Pittsburgh

12. Press.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24042389/primary-
source-account-of-conditions-in/
Myre, G. (2013). The 1973 Arab Oil Embargo: The Old Rules
No Longer Apply. NPR.
https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2013/10/15/234771573/th
e-1973-arab-oil-embargo-the-old-rules-no-longer-apply
National Child Labor Committee Collection—Images—Child
Labor—Accidents (1908–1924). (n.d.). Library of Congress.
https://www.loc.gov/pictures/related/?q=Accidents.&fi=subjects
&co=nclc
Rafferty, J. (n.d.). The Rise of the Machines: Pros and Cons of
the Industrial Revolution. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/story/the-rise-of-the-
machines-pros-and-cons-of-the-industrial-revolution
“Sir I Will Thank You with All My Heart”: Seven Letters from
the Great Migration. (n.d.). History Matters.
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5332/
Women in the Work Force during World War II. (2016, August
15). National Archives.
https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/wwii-
women.html
https://www.independent.com/2009/02/12/uncertain-fate-
independent-bookstores/
https://shimona.org/stop-judging-men-and-adapting-behavior-
according-to-an-imagined-utopian-ideal/

13. https://www.npr.org/2014/01/27/267145552/the-middle-class-
took-off-100-years-ago-thanks-to-henry-ford
https://www.britannica.com/event/Great-Migration
https://www.britannica.com/story/the-rise-of-the-machines-
pros-and-cons-of-the-industrial-revolution
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