This document provides information about social investigation (also called a psycho-social study) in social work. It discusses how social investigation aims to understand individuals and problems in their social context. The document outlines the key components of a social investigation, including gathering information about the client, their family and social environment, personality, efforts to address problems, and psychosocial development. It describes techniques for social investigation like interviews and observation. Formats for interview guides/schedules are also provided, with topics like personal, family, and medical history.

1. DR SHAILA PARVEEN
DEPT OF SOCIAL WORK
M.G.KASHI VIDYAPITH
VARANASI
drshlparveen566@gmail.com

2. SOCIAL INVESTIGATION (PSYCHO-
SOCIAL STUDY)
 Nothing happens on this earth without any reason. In
other words, every happening has definite cause.
Definite cause does not exist in vaccum rather a
natural phenomenon. It is very interesting to note
that today man is just considered the creature, rather
a creator as well. This particular change in the status
of man has tempted him to quench his thirst of
knowledge not only about the natural phenomena but
today’s man is much interested to understand human
behaviours in a very scientific and precise way. Social
case worker is also interested in gaining this
knowledge for its successful functioning.

3. Before conceiving the term “Social investigation,”
Mary Richmond herself toyed with such terms as
“Social – evidence”, “learned seeking”, “Social
inquiry” and ultimately shifted her choice upon the
term “Social investigation.”Social investigation is
the foundation upon which the various helping
processes, actions and treatment techniques are
built. For every social work activity, whether it is at
individual level or family level or community and
societal level, the find out the social realities of the
clients and their families, to identify the problem
area and to formulate treatment, rehabilitation and
aftercare strategies.

4. It is rightly pointed out by Hamilton that
social investigation is a psycho-social
process. It transcends much beyond the
assessment of the individual client or
family. The intra – psychic forces are
inseparably linked with social forces. To
understand the individual as psycho –
social entity, the analysis of his
relationship with others related with
him is equally important.

5. CONTENTS OF THE SOCIAL
INVESTIGATION
Perlman has given the following contents of the case
work study in the beginning phase:
1. The nature of the presenting problem,
2. The significance of this problem
3. The causes(s), onset and precipitants of the problem,
4. The efforts made to cope with problem- solving
5. The nature of the solution or ends sought from the
case work agency
6. The actual nature of this agency and its problem
solving means in relation to the client and his
problem.

6. 1. Picture of the problem
Social Worker tries to know major
complaints, beginning of the problems,
the nature of the problem, severity of
the problem, implications of the
problem, location of the problem,
causation of the problem, scope of the
problem (who are other affected
persons) etc.

7. 2. Client’s Feelings and Reactions Case worker attempts
to find out the attitude of the client towards his/her
problem, the analysis and interpretation made by him
about his problem, the relationship between client and
problem, capacities, competencies andweaknesses of
the client
.3. Client’s Efforts to Solve Problems Social case worker
acquires knowledge about the efforts made by theclient
to deal with his/her problems, the help taken so far,
help taking organizationand agencies, effects of help,
client’s evaluation towards these help
receivingagencies, and the time spent in these
agencies.

8. 4. Social Conditions
Social Worker investigates the clear picture of family, its
environment, and its impact on the client. He also gains
knowledge of schools and its effect on client. Apartfrom
these social agencies, he makes attempts to know the
impact of neighbor, working place and religious,
economic and political institutions.
5. Psycho-social Development of the Client
In this area, the case worker gets information about the
pre- and post-natal care of the client, his/her early
development, childhood, schooling, socialization
patterns, home environment, marital history,
occupational history, habits, relationship with others.

9. 6. Personality of the client
For the proper diagnosis, the case worker gives
much emphasis to gather information
regarding personality characteristics of the
client i.e., knowledge, feelings, wishes
temperament, ego-strength, sensitivity,
adaptability, communication patterns,
cooperation, sympathy, tolerance,
responsibility, expression of emotions,
devotion to work, motivational state, and level
of aspirations and weakness in his personality.

10. THE TECHNIQUES OF SOCIAL
INVESTIGATION
There are two fundamental techniques of social investigations, i.e
(i) Interview
(ii) Observation.
The process of social investigation is initiated and carried through
by the process of interview. Professional skill in this area
requires not only theoretical knowledge about the psychology of
human behaviour but also considerable casework experience in
which the worker’s technique is repeatedly analysed. The
interview is used for securing information about the clients as
well as his problems including his relationship with other
persons in his social and personal environment. Through the
interview situation, the case worker attempts to inst4ssssrcut
and give both the client and others who play significant roles in
his life and attempts to manipulate the environment for the
benefit of the client.

11. Observation is always coupled with interviewing. It
makes possible to record the behaviour of the
client as it occurs. It yields clues as to the
pathological patterns of communication,
pathogenic relation and defective role playing and
polarization of power and authority among the
family members who are of ecological significance.
Tools of Social Investigation
The following tools are used by social case worker
in collecting the relevant information for diagnosis
and treatment:

12. 1 Interview guide and schedule
2. Life chart
3. Video recording of family interaction
4. Tape recorded interview
Format of Interview Guide/ScheduleI. History of
Problem
1. Major complaints( Problems)
2. History of the problems
3. Treatment or helps taken so far.

13. II. Personal History
1. Early development
2. Process of socialization
3 Coping patterns of day-to-day stress
4. Schooling – likes, dislikes difficulties, academic
achievement, extra –curricular activities, model teachers’
behaviour, significant incidence
5. Marital History –age at marriage, willingness for marriage,
types of marriage, consanguinity, age of the spouse,
personality of the spouse,expectations from marriage,
relationship and compatibility with thespouse, with the
in- laws and the offspring, sexual gratification, birth of the
first child and its impact on the marital life.Difficulties in
communication, role playing, interaction, reinforcement,
stressmanaging patterns and social support system.

14. Habits: i Drinking, gambling, smoking,
addictions, etc.
ii. Reading, creative activities, music, writing,
painting, etc.
iii. Social habits.
6. Occupational History: When and why started
working, job satisfactionin every work,
relationship with the supervisors and
colleagues,promotion work environment,
reasons of changing occupation/job.7. Income:
Income per month, level of satisfaction, needs
and income,spouse’s attitude towards your
income earning, capacity, debt, otherproblems.8.
Sex experience: Sexual perversion if any, failure
in love, its effects, etc.

15. II. Family History
1. Family structure
2. Economic status in community
3. Educational History
4. Occupational History
5. Marital History
6 Ethical and moral standards
7 Family Habits
8 Personality Patterns
9 Interaction Patterns
10 Patterns of decision making
11 Existing role structure in family
12 Patterns of managing problem
13 Social support system
14.Interaction of the family members with the client.

16. IV. Analysis and Social
Diagnosis: Problematic Areas
V. Treatment Plan