Discussion: Individual vs. Structural-Cultural Theories Theories help frame more than presenting problems—they also frame social problems, and both types of problems can be linked in relation to client issues. For example, many scholars and social workers have attempted to understand the social problem of poverty. Turner and Lehning (2007) classified various psychological theories to explain poverty under two headings: (1) individual-related theories or (2) structural/cultural-related theories. In other words, think of these two headings as lenses in viewing poverty. In this Discussion, you apply lenses through which to understand a client's problem in relation to social problems. To prepare: Read this article listed in the Learning Resources: Turner, K., & Lehning, A. J. (2007). Psychological theories of poverty. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 16 (1/2), 57–72. doi:10.1300/J137v16n01-05 Select a theory under the individual-related theories and a theory under the structural/cultural-related theories. Complete the handout “Comparing Individual-Related and Structural/Cultural-Related Theories ” to help you craft your response. ( Note: You do not need to upload the handout to the Discussion forum. The handout is intended to assist you in writing your Discussion post.) By Day 3 Post: Describe how a social worker would conceptualize a presenting problem of poverty from the two theories you selected. Explain how this conceptualization differs from an individual-related versus a structural/cultural-related theoretical lens. 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. By Day 5 Respond to at least two colleagues: Evaluate one identified strength and one identified limitation your colleague may encounter when employing an individual-related theory and a structural/cultural-related theory to formulating interventions for poverty. Assignment: Application of Systems Theory to a Case Study In this course, you will be asked to select one case study and to use it throughout the entire course. By doing this, you will have the opportunity to see how theories guide your view of a client and the client’s presenting problem. Although the case may be the same, each time you use a different theory , your perspective of the problem changes, which then changes how you go about asking the assessment questions and how you intervene. The first theoretical approach you will use to apply to a case study is systems theory . In other words, your theoretical orientation—your lens—will be systems theory as you analyze a social work case study. Different theories can be used to take a systems approach. For example, Bertalanffy’s General Systems Theory considers how a system is made of smaller subsystems that influence each other and seek homeostasis , whereas Brofennerbrenner’s Eco ...

1. Discussion: Individual vs. Structural-Cultural Theories
Theories
help frame more than presenting problems—they also frame
social problems, and both types of problems can be linked in
relation to client issues. For example, many scholars and social
workers have attempted to understand the social problem of
poverty. Turner and Lehning (2007) classified various
psychological theories to explain poverty under two headings:
(1) individual-related theories or (2) structural/cultural-related
theories. In other words, think of these two headings as lenses
in viewing poverty. In this Discussion, you apply lenses through
which to understand a client's problem in relation to social
problems.
To prepare:
Read this article listed in the Learning Resources: Turner, K., &
Lehning, A. J. (2007). Psychological
theories
of poverty.
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 16
(1/2), 57–72. doi:10.1300/J137v16n01-05
Select a
theory
under the individual-related
theories
and a theory under the structural/cultural-related theories.
Complete the handout “Comparing Individual-Related and
Structural/Cultural-Related

2. Theories
” to help you craft your response. (
Note:
You do
not
need to upload the handout to the Discussion forum. The
handout is intended to assist you in writing your Discussion
post.)
By Day 3
Post:
Describe how a social worker would conceptualize a presenting
problem of poverty from the two
theories
you selected.
Explain how this conceptualization differs from an individual-
related versus a structural/cultural-related theoretical lens.
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.
By Day 5
Respond
to at least two colleagues:
Evaluate one identified strength and one identified limitation
your colleague may encounter when employing an individual-

3. related
theory
and a structural/cultural-related theory to formulating
interventions for poverty.
Assignment: Application of Systems Theory to a Case Study
In this course, you will be asked to select one case study and to
use it throughout the entire course. By doing this, you will have
the opportunity to see how
theories
guide your view of a client and the client’s presenting problem.
Although the case may be the same, each time you use a
different
theory
, your perspective of the problem changes, which then changes
how you go about asking the assessment questions and how you
intervene.
The first theoretical approach you will use to apply to a case
study is systems
theory
. In other words, your theoretical orientation—your lens—will
be systems theory as you analyze a social work case study.
Different
theories
can be used to take a systems approach. For example,
Bertalanffy’s General Systems
Theory
considers how a
system
is made of smaller

4. subsystems
that
influence each other
and seek
homeostasis
, whereas Brofennerbrenner’s Ecological Systems
Theory
focuses on how an individual’s experience is influenced by
different system levels (micro,
meso
,
exo
,
macro
, and chrono). Systems
theory
is commonly used to understand the interrelationships of the
systems (e.g., family, community, organizations, society) of the
client. If you are working with families, communities, and
organizations, it is also beneficial to use systems theory to get a
holistic picture of all the interrelated parts of the system.
To prepare: Select and focus on one of four case studies listed
in the Learning Resources. You will use this same case study
throughout the course.
By Day 7
Focus on the identified client within your chosen case.
Analyze the case using a systems approach, taking into
consideration both family and community systems.
Complete and submit the “Dissecting a
Theory

5. and Its Application to a Case Study” worksheet based on your
analysis.
Angelica Wiggins
RE: Discussion - Week 2
COLLAPSE
As social workers, theories help us to better understand the
problems and world around us. Poverty is a social problem that
has been examined through a variety of lenses or theories.
These theories are typically classified as either being individual
or cultural.
Individual-Related Theory
McClelland’s Need for Achievement Theory suggests that there
are barriers to achievement and it is necessary for an individual
to overcome these barriers. Further, McClelland theorized that
individuals who have a need for achievement take calculated
risks, often work alone, like to receive feedback, and have a
strong need to set and accomplish goals (Turner & Lehning,
2007). When looking at poverty through this lens, one would
conclude that if an individual is living in poverty then they lack
these common characteristics needed to overcome barriers.
When using this theory, a social worker would need to help the
client identify barriers as well as use a strengths-based approach
to set and achieve identified goals. Utilizing solutions focused
therapy or a similar approach could also be beneficial.
Cultural-Related Theory
Sen’s Empowerment Theory proposes that poverty is more than
just someone’s socioeconomic status, it is essentially an

6. imbalance of political and psychological power (Turner &
Lehning, 2007). By looking at poverty through this lens social
workers would see the barriers that society produces for some
individuals entrapping them in a cycle of poverty. In order for
poverty to be eradicated according to this perspective the
balance of power would need to shift. Social workers utilizing
this theory would want to work at the macro level to advocate
for policy change and more representation of specific groups in
our government.
Reference
Turner, K. & Lehning, A.J. (2007). Psychological theories of
poverty. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment,
16(1/2), 57–72.
Ebony Mcennis
RE: Discussion - Week 2
COLLAPSE
The first theory I would like to discuss is an individual theory
known as “Achievement Theory”. Achievement theory also
known as Acquired needs theory comes from the theorist David
McClelland. McClelland proposed that individual’s specific
needs are acquired over time and are shaped by one’s life
experiences. This theory also reminds me of environmental
theory. Most of the needs according to McClelland can be
classed as either affiliation, power, or achievement. Maslow’s
hierarchy of needs is also similar to this theory with the notion
you are your environment.
Here are a breakdown of the terms:

7. Achievement- has strong need to accomplish goals, takes
calculated risks, likes to receive consistent feedback, and often
likes to work alone.
Affiliation: Wants to belong to the group, wants to be liked,
favors teamwork over competition, and does not like high risk.
Power: Likes control, and to influence others, likes to win
arguments, enjoys competition when winning, and enjoys status
and recognition.
As a social worker, I would first need to identify which
dominant behaviors my client is experiencing, and I can use
some of this information to help set goals and provide feedback.
It will also be important to help the client identify personal
barriers they feel are hindering their goals. It will also be
important after identifying behaviors to structure treatment by
catering to those needs the client possess so they are
comfortable introducing new learned behavior. For example if
my client is all about achievement it will be important to
introduce challenging but reachable goals, and provide feedback
to them. This is allowing the familiarity, while also introducing
the new behavior little by little. I also want to note that I do not
agree that the poor have not developed a need for achievement.
I feel that barriers are also achievements in some sort.
Second theory:
Empowerment theory proposes that poverty is more than just
low income: It is a lack of political and psychological power
(Sen, 1999). More specifically, Sen suggests that modern
society deprives “certain” citizens of power and control, which
then results in poverty for those citizens. In order to escape
from such poverty, Sen believes that a society must provide all
of its citizens with three things:

8. (1) Political, economic, and social freedom;
(2) Security and protection;
(3) Transparent governmental activities (Sen, 1999)
Therefore, I really like this theory. Primarily because I feel is
deepens the conversation of poverty, and provides elements of a
system designed to segregate. We have to understand that levels
to socioeconomic status are designed to reserve resources.
There has to be a separation, or also known as survival of the
fittest.
In practice with a client I would use this theory by
understanding first the system in general restricts the ability for
people in poverty to overcome barriers. It will be important
educate my client on available resources, and empower their
current resources to make appropriate changes. Balance of
power will not be shifting anytime soon, so there is work to be
done at the lobbying level. Unless people of poverty know about
these resources they cannot utilize them. There are also
personal factors of a client that can be empowered so the client
can eventually make these decisions on their own.
References:
Turner, K. & Lehning, A.J. (2007). Psychological theories of
poverty. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment,
60-69.
Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom. Oxford: Oxford
University Press. World Bank (2001). Attacking poverty:
Opportunity, empowerment, and security (World Development
Report, 2000/2001). Retrieved on June 3rd 2019, From
http://econ.worldbank.org/wdr/ doi:10.1300/J137v16n01_05