Our general theme in yesterday's class was the Functionalist perspective - that connection to culture reduced the amount of deviant or maladaptive behaviors in a society. Take a look at how the state of Missouri works with first time offenders noting their emphasis on re-connecting or connecting for the first time these inmates.
Let me know what you think of this and please bring some materials about Missouri (or other articles you might stumble across) next Saturday so that we can continue the conversation.
Another Correct Answer!!
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Sunday, March 15, 2009
Your "Intervention Methods" Assignment
Complete an Exhaustive Problem list; then, complete the Focused Problem list. Write one goal for each of the problems that you listed.
Here is the Case Study...
Frank was a 27-year-old white single male who came to counseling because of a “panic disorder.” Frank stated that he had been treated for the disorder when he was younger, and the panic attacks had returned – worse than they were previously. Frank stated that he was treated with a benzodiazepine, and an anti-depressant which “didn’t work.” He remained on the benzodiazepine for about three years.
Frank came to the interview neatly dressed in designer label clothing. He spoke softly and displayed impeccable manners, including referring to this interviewer as “sir.” He demonstrated intelligence in his responses, and an unusually strong knowledge of prescription drugs and their effects.
Frank was the only child of a successful podiatrist and stay-at-home mom. Both of his parents were deceased, so he lived alone in the family home that he had inherited. He sometimes rented out bedrooms to local college students to “earn spending money.” Both parents died of “natural causes” but at relatively young ages. Neither of his parents had siblings, and both sets of grandparents were deceased. Frank stated that, while his mother was “pretty nervous,” he knew of no history of mental illness, substance abuse or addiction.
Frank did not work “because of the panic.” He was able to support himself through inheritance. His only job, at nineteen, was when he worked for a local “rent to own” center as a furniture delivery man. He worked there for “about seven months.” Frank had never served in the military, had two arrests for simple trespass. And he had one arrest for marijuana possession when he was twenty-years-old.
The simple trespass arrests were made because he was accused of watching his neighbors when they were in their bedroom. Frank quickly stated that he was “no pervert.” He stated the use of marijuana was to diminish his panic attacks; he also stated that he used alcohol “occasionally,” about three times per week; he averaged “four or five” drinks each time.
Frank stated that his family life was normal. He was distant from his father, and spent a great deal of time with his mother who taught him how to play the piano. He had wanted to be in some sort of soft rock band, but was never able to “get it together.” He was an honors student throughout his schooling, and, while accepted at a top tier college, refused to go because of his anxiety. He never played team sports, and stated that, because his neighborhood had very few kids in it, he had few childhood friends.
Frank had not had a girlfriend in about two years because he felt that he had lost interest in sex. He stated that he did not have erectile dysfunction. Previously, he stated that he had two long-term relationships with women that both ended abruptly. Both women were about ten years older than him because, he asserted, women his age tended to be immature and “gold-diggers.” He added that he did not believe in one-night stands.
Frank asked if he could resume treatment with benzodiazepines. He stated that he would also like to attend counseling to “get to the bottom of his panic.” He presented as sincere but sad. When asked to explain when his panic attacks typically occurred, he stated, “Whenever I smoke crack.”
Here is the Case Study...
Frank was a 27-year-old white single male who came to counseling because of a “panic disorder.” Frank stated that he had been treated for the disorder when he was younger, and the panic attacks had returned – worse than they were previously. Frank stated that he was treated with a benzodiazepine, and an anti-depressant which “didn’t work.” He remained on the benzodiazepine for about three years.
Frank came to the interview neatly dressed in designer label clothing. He spoke softly and displayed impeccable manners, including referring to this interviewer as “sir.” He demonstrated intelligence in his responses, and an unusually strong knowledge of prescription drugs and their effects.
Frank was the only child of a successful podiatrist and stay-at-home mom. Both of his parents were deceased, so he lived alone in the family home that he had inherited. He sometimes rented out bedrooms to local college students to “earn spending money.” Both parents died of “natural causes” but at relatively young ages. Neither of his parents had siblings, and both sets of grandparents were deceased. Frank stated that, while his mother was “pretty nervous,” he knew of no history of mental illness, substance abuse or addiction.
Frank did not work “because of the panic.” He was able to support himself through inheritance. His only job, at nineteen, was when he worked for a local “rent to own” center as a furniture delivery man. He worked there for “about seven months.” Frank had never served in the military, had two arrests for simple trespass. And he had one arrest for marijuana possession when he was twenty-years-old.
The simple trespass arrests were made because he was accused of watching his neighbors when they were in their bedroom. Frank quickly stated that he was “no pervert.” He stated the use of marijuana was to diminish his panic attacks; he also stated that he used alcohol “occasionally,” about three times per week; he averaged “four or five” drinks each time.
Frank stated that his family life was normal. He was distant from his father, and spent a great deal of time with his mother who taught him how to play the piano. He had wanted to be in some sort of soft rock band, but was never able to “get it together.” He was an honors student throughout his schooling, and, while accepted at a top tier college, refused to go because of his anxiety. He never played team sports, and stated that, because his neighborhood had very few kids in it, he had few childhood friends.
Frank had not had a girlfriend in about two years because he felt that he had lost interest in sex. He stated that he did not have erectile dysfunction. Previously, he stated that he had two long-term relationships with women that both ended abruptly. Both women were about ten years older than him because, he asserted, women his age tended to be immature and “gold-diggers.” He added that he did not believe in one-night stands.
Frank asked if he could resume treatment with benzodiazepines. He stated that he would also like to attend counseling to “get to the bottom of his panic.” He presented as sincere but sad. When asked to explain when his panic attacks typically occurred, he stated, “Whenever I smoke crack.”
Sunday, March 08, 2009
The Problem Solving Process...
1. Study the problem to determine the “kind” of problem you are dealing with
2. Figure out the information you need to solve the problem
3. Carefully analyze and interpret the information, drawing reasonable inferences
4. Break the problem down into resolvable chunks
5. Determine your options for action, both short term and long term
6. Evaluate your options, determining advantages and disadvantages
7. Adopt a strategy and monitor the implications of your actions
8. Be ready to revise your strategy if the situation requires it
A client's problem is that he has gained 40-pounds over the past eighteen months and is now considered a Type 2 Diabetic. He is 35-years-old, married with two young children. He works in the IT department of a major university in Waterbury, Connecticut. He says he has been, "stressed and unhappy with his life because he works so hard that he rarely has quality time with his family." He further says that, "his wife read a book about 'emotional eating' and he believes that this is what he does."
How you you begin to address this man's problem using the Problem Solving Process. Make a comment or two; I am not expecting that you will respond to all eight pieces of the process. A comment or two...
Discussion: Sorting Through Assumptions & Overgenralizations
We all have learned overgeneralizations about groups of people (ethnic, religious, racial, ideological, political, etc, etc). As we grew up, many of us assumed that these "stereotypes" were correct.
Think of two "stereotypes" or assumptions you had about groups and write about the following: how do you learn the "stereotype?" And how did it end?
Discusion Topic #1
A Social Problem is any condition or circumstance within a group, culture or society that most people believe to be a problem. In order for people to reach the consensus that something is a social problem, it must be brought to their attention. Slavery, for example, was first presented as a social problem by the Quakers/The Religious Society of Friends. Drunk driving was first presented as a social problem by a mom from California who lost her young child to a drunk driver.
But they could not do it alone. In order to elevate the problem to a status where others could respond in agreement and build the consensus, a social movement needed to begin.
OK. Your task...Think of a social problem that is significant to you and check out the process that occurred causing the problem to be recognized on a societal level. Then, report your brief findings here.
Social Theory Class - Assignment #1
Next Saturday, I'm going to review history and begin to tie in various theory to specific time frames. We'll be able to take a look at the macro-level societal conditions and the "ideological perspectives" that were prevailing in culture at that time.
What I'd like you to do for your first five-page paper is to take any piece of the history as presented in your book and expand upon it. I want you to find a piece of history that is interesting to you and relevant in some way.
You will, of course, need to use other resources. Internet sites should be ".edu" and legitimate ".org" sites, with minimal ".com" sites. NEVER use wikipedia. You should make the effort to include a couple of references from books as well. You are free to use either MLA or APA.
The paper will be due in two weeks, and I will ask each of you to present to the class informally from your seat.
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