Social Action Model

Define: this theory asserts that “there is a disadvantaged (often oppressed) segment of the population that needs to be organized” (Zastrow, 2006, p. 298). Therefore, social justice needs to be employed in order to assist the community system in challenging the power structure.

Apply: communities may experience various sources of oppression; in which case, it is role of the worker to function as an activist, ado vacate, or broker in order to determine the appropriate services or intervention. It is important to understand what the community needs, rather than what leaders promote as their agenda. Communities are in various stages, and may need different strategies in order to best assist the community. For instance, after being involved with TimeBanks in Southwest Detroit, I have often wondered if this is what the Southwest Detroit community at large needs or wants? Maybe members in the community may find that they their concerns are not heard, and thus social justice may be more effective than trying to build a unified community. This may be significant as hearing the community’s concerns and mobilizing them into action may result in building community interaction.

Adapt: This is also evident when working with abused clients on an interpersonal level (micro), such as counseling. A worker’s first notion may be to begin counseling or discuss personal information pertaining to the client’s presenting problem and history, rather than ensuring that the client has had his or her basic needs met, such as safety, shelter, food, or clothing. Therefore, case management services are more likely to be necessary first, instead of intervention. Case managers will act as an advocate and broker services for the client relating to their basic needs to ensure that her or his holistic needs are met.

Locality Development Model

Define: the model of locality development “asserts that community change can best be brought about through broad participation of a wide spectrum of spectrum of people at the local community level” (Zastrow, 2006, p.299). This theory surmises that change efforts on the community level are most achievable with the cooperation of the local citizens, as they should be involved in the problem-solving process.

Apply: In community development, the practitioner’s role is to be that of a catalyst within the change effort due to the fact that residents and citizens are responsible for the contribution of various ideas in the problem-solving process. This is evident as many organizers are challenged in allowing the community members complete objectives, as they could readily be accomplished by the organizer. However, there is a blatant necessity in this model for organizers to encourage community participation, because residents should be responsible for obtaining, maintaining, or securing their own interest, rather than the organizer. In doing so, the outcome is greater cohesiveness, pride, confidence, and problem-solving capabilities within the community.

Adapt: The basis of this theory is that individuals are stronger together than they are separately, and therefore collectively they may be able to resolve issues and challenges. Educators have used this philosophy within the school setting, and it is known as tribes. Children of varying ages (5 to 13) come together and collaborate as well as problem-solve on various projects, rather than seeking individual attention regarding issues. The students learn how to rely upon the strengths of each other to accomplish goals, assignments, or tasks. They look to each other rather than the teacher to provide the solution. Moreover, the role of the teacher is to be a facilitator or a catalyst in that they motivate and encourage the children to rely upon their tribe to resolve issues, conflicts, questions, and academic assignments. This has been beneficial to their learning community as students are encourage to be interdependent, as they realize the steps necessary to rectify challenges.

Praxiology

Define: the theory of praxiology asserts that through an interactive process of critical reflection and action, change can effectively take place (Homan, 2008). This theory surmises that one’s actions are formed by one’s perception of the world and reality, and therefore constant reflection is a necessity because it determines future action steps.

Apply: In community development, organizers that work with communities are highly influential, and thus they must learn to understand how their perceptions affect the reality or outcomes of communities. It should be impressed upon community organizers to reflect upon their beliefs, perspectives, and reality because such ideologies serve as the foundation for reasoning, which influences the actions of the community organizer. As illustrated in the class scenarios regarding ethics, what shapes and controls the decisions of others are past outcomes and realities that inevitability impact one’s present perceptions. Thus, community organizers must always be willing to analyze their perceptions because they will serve as a guide when interacting with community systems.

Adapt: Leaders in various institutions, disciplines, and fields must be cognizant of how their perceptions guide their actions as well. Doctors who treat minority women in a low-income area for HIV/AIDS may have difficulty transitioning to an upper/middle-income area comprised of minorities, as she or he could have generalizations about minorities due to having a previous work experience with a minority population. These generalizations could affect the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients. Therefore, professionals in all settings must analyze the thoughts and perceptions that lead to their behavior/actions when interacting with other people and client groups.

Communicative Action Theory

Define: According to Philips and Pittman (2009), this theory argues that power and dominance are directly related to communication found among social systems on the macro level and their interaction with more locally-based systems, such as communities and groups. Communication from this perspective is shared from a power base, as bureaucracies and markets distribute information to local groups or parties. Therefore, the communication action theory asserts that communication should be unfiltered and inclusive with the use of public representation.

Apply: when involved in community development, it is important to understand the various parties or groups affiliated with the issue, cause, demonstration, or movement that is occurring within the community. Although highly idealized, every voice within a community should be heard in order to ensure that productive and beneficial decisions are made within the community. Being a community organizer may wield some power, especially when working on the behalf of an organization. Thus, it is important that community organizers intentionally seek diverse public representation when forums are held, and ensure that decision making committees, boards, and meetings are representative of the community. Moreover, these individuals should also be able to express their opinions and thoughts regarding issues concerning their community. This could promote greater self-efficacy among citizens that reside within the community, since they may come to feel that they are not being controlled by outside bureaucratic forces, but rather possess a feeling that their input matters.

Adapt: In many aspects of society, communication occurs most often among those who are privileged, while those who lack privilege have less of a voice. When watching or listening to the news, it is the media that informs the local community regarding information, but it is the business leaders who decide what information is or is not appropriate. Thus, business leaders and political forces control and dictate the communication that local residents receive. This can be found in various settings, such as the medical or educational field. Bureaucracies within these fields setup policies and procedures that control communication with interested parties. Thus, it is important that leaders try to bridge the communication gap between powerful bureaucracies and individuals.