6 Chapter 1
of HBSE. Many of the alternative paradigms we will visit began as extensions or adapta-
tions of existing traditional worldviews.
There is another very practical reason for learning about theories that emerge
from and reflect traditional paradigms. The practice world social workers inhabit and
that you will soon enter (and we hope transform) is a world constructed largely on
traditional views of human behavior and the social environment. To survive in that
world long enough to change it, we must be conversant in the discourse of that world.
We must have sufficient knowledge of traditional and dominant paradigms of human
behavior and development to make decisions about what in those worldviews we wish
to retain because of its usefulness in attaining the goal of maximizing human potential.
Knowledge of traditional and dominant paradigms is also necessary in deciding what
to discard or alter to better serve that same core concern of social work. To help us‘
understand paradigms in the context of social work, we need to be able to conduct a 4
paradigm analysis. 1
a-.. PARADlGM ANALYSIS 5
MW
Put simply, paradigm analysis is learning to “think paradigmfllt is aproces’sfiogfficgn-
tinually asking questions about what the information, both spokeriwandunspoken, we E3
“sendfand receive reflects about our own and others’ views of the World? and itspeople, 3
especially people different from ourselves. It is a process of continually “thinking about “53
thinking.” Paradigm analysis requires us to continuously critically evaluate the many 33
perspectives we will explore for their consistency with the core values of social work. 35”
Paradigm analysis involves asking a set of very basic questions about each of the 1″
perspectives we explore in order to determine its compatibility with the core values of IE
socialwork. These questions are: 5!
1. Does this perspective contribute to preserving and restoring human dignity? – 1m
2. Does this perspective recognize the benefits of, and does it celebrate, human . m
diversity? “1
3. Does this perspective assist us in transforming our society and ourselves so that
we welcome the voices, the strengths, the ways of knowing, and the energies E
of us all?
4. Does this perspective help us all (ourselves and the people with whom we 5
work) to reach our fullest human potential?
5. Does the perspective or theory reflect the participation and experiences of 9
males and females; economically well off and poor; white people and people Q
of color; gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered, and heterosexuals; old ‘5
p and young; temporarily able-bodied and people with disabilities? 5
The answers we find to these questions will tell us generally if the perspective WE“
g) T t d ta d’ f are exploring is consistent with the core values of social work. The answer to the
es your u” ers n mg 0 final question Will tell us about how the paradigm came to be and who partner»
Paradigms by taking this pated in its development or construction. The questions above can also help us
f Short Qiiizi decide whether the paradigm or perspective being examined should change or
a“ “shift” in order to help fulfill the purposes of social work. ,, , . f-~/ . s
J.