Psychiatric Social Work in Great Britain by Noel Timms

Author:Noel Timms [Timms, Noel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Sociology, General
ISBN: 9780429764721
Google: 7GwPEAAAQBAJ
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 56215614
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2018-12-07T03:10:33+00:00

2 KNOWLEDGE

A broad distinction can be made between ‘sociological’ and psychoanalytic knowledge.

(i) ‘Sociological’ Knowledge

The importance of this seems to have been a more popular theme at the beginning than the end of the period we are studying. It is mentioned in two out of six articles in 1947, one in 1948, two in 1949 and two in 1950, but not again until 1955. In spite of recent interest in the importance of knowledge of this kind which comes from critics within and without the profession we have no major contribution on the theme, and only two references in the Journal 1957-60. However, a change has come about in the kind of knowledge to which we refer by using the term ‘sociological’. In the beginning it was knowledge of social conditions. Some of the early references, for example, are to knowledge of the neighbourhood, of ‘normality’ and so on. Later, those outside the profession (and a few inside) look to the psychiatric social worker’s knowledge of the social services as a basis from which she can participate in the role of social reformer. It is clear that the issues of the Journal convey very little about such a role. Castle, in 1950, calls attention to the psychiatric social worker’s role of social scientist ‘which might be said to rest upon the principle of endeavouring to establish a healthy individual in a healthy society’,19 but later speaks of ‘treating’ society, not reforming it.

There is, however, a third important kind of knowledge which can more properly be called sociological i.e. general statements that employ sociological terms. Some writers have suggested that we have departed from an earlier and fruitful use of such knowledge. Goldberg, for example, argues that an emphasis on psychoanalysis has ‘led to a temporary neglect of an important former source of knowledge, the social sciences.’20 She mentions the notion of group equilibrium and the influence of sociocultural forces. It seems true that some of the theories and concepts of sociology could be of considerable use to the psychiatric social worker. Considerable emphasis is at present being placed, for example, on the concept of ‘role’. Yet most of the exploration of the specific place of sociological knowledge remains to be done. The social sciences helped social workers in the past not by providing theoretical ideas, but by presenting information about the condition of society. Social work now needs both kinds of help.

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