Introduction to Psychology for Social Workers

Psychology has an important place in social work. In the world of social work, service-users (or clients) has to be understood from  their internal (psychological) world and their external (social) world. Psychology is the science of behavior and mind, embracing all aspects of conscious and unconscious experience as well as thought.

Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.

This will introduce the some of the psychological concepts and theories that is used within the social work sector. These psychological concepts and theories allow social workers to better understand the people they are working with as well as a better of understanding of how psychological concepts and theories can assist social workers in developing interventions and projects that is aimed at promoting growth and development of the individual, family, community and society.

This course will introduce basic psychological perspectives such as: psychodynamic, behavioural, humanistic, cognitive, sociocultural and biopsychological. These psychological perspectives allows social workers to better understand people and their worldview. Psychology is also used as a guide to social workers in employing suitable interventions.