SOC301 Short Definitions by VUBuddy

Absolute poverty

The lack of income and/or assets which prevents one from obtaining a subsistence level of functioning.

Accessibility

The opportunity to obtain or receive services

Active listening

The process of attending to a client through the use of clinical skills in order to understand the client’s concerns

Activist

A social worker or other person whose goal is to achieve social change

Activities of daily living

Basic self-care activities that allow an individual to live independently, including bathing, eating, and toileting

Adult Protective Services (APS)

The system of services provided to adults vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, or neglect

Advance directives

Written guidelines regarding end-of-life care developed by a client while competent. This term can include living wills and the designation of a health care representative to make medical decisions for the client if needed.

Advocacy

Representing others individually or in groups in order to protect them or advance their cause

Agency policies and procedures

The written guidelines of an agency that describe the ways in which services will be provided, and which provides guidelines that dictate certain processes that will be used.

Assessment

It is the process of examining a problem to determine its cause, severity and course which is necessary to design an effective intervention plan. Assessment is done at all levels of practice.

Attachment disorder

It is the inability to form emotional bonds with caretakers, often the results of negative early childhood experiences.

Behavioral model

The practice theory / model based on learning theory which focuses on the process of shaping and changing behavior through the use of rewards and reinforcement

Behavioral rehearsal

Demonstration of a desired behavior by a social worker or therapist, followed by role play and rehearsal of the behavior which can then be employed in real life settings and situations

Behavioral theory

Orienting / explanatory theory in which human behavior and development are seen as responses to antecedent stimuli and consequences, both positive and negative

Benchmark

A standard of performance against which to measure

Beneficence

The desire to act for the benefit and welfare of others

Benign neglect

Withholding help based on a belief that harm may be caused by providing such help

Bias

Negative attitudes or beliefs about individuals or groups

Bio-psycho-social theory

Orienting / explanatory theory about how holistic theory of human development that attempts to explain the ways in which biological, psychological, and social development are interactive in terms of influencing development

Block grant

A practice of allowing a community or state to determine how best to use a block of funding

Board of directors

The policy-making committee that is responsible for the operation of an organization in terms of funding, staff, mission, and programs.

Brawner Rule

The standard by which a person is deemed to be not guilty by reason of insanity, including the inability to behave in accordance with law or understand that his/her conduct is wrong