Term
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Definition
- the ways in which information is transmitted
- the effects of information on human systems
- how people receive information from their own feelings, thoughts, memories, physical sensations, and environments
- how they evaluate this information
- how they subsequently act in response to the information |
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Term
| Silence (in terms of communication theory) |
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Definition
| very effective when faced with a client who is experiencing a high degree of emotion, because the silence indicates acceptance of these feelings. On the other hand, silence on the part of a client can indicate a reluctance to discuss a subject. |
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Term
| Using “shoulds” and “oughts” |
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Definition
| may be perceived as moralizing or sermonizing by a client and elicit feelings of resentment, guilt, or obligation. In reaction to feeling judged, a client may oppose a social worker’s pressure to change. |
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Term
| Offering advice or solutions prematurely |
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Definition
| before thorough exploration of the problem, may cause resistance because a client is not ready to solve the problem. |
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Term
| logical arguments, lecturing, or arguing to convince a client to take another viewpoint |
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Definition
| may result in a power struggle with a client. A better way of helping a client is to assist him or her in exploring options in order to make an informed decision. |
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Term
| Judging, criticizing, and blaming |
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Definition
| are detrimental to a client, as well as to the therapeutic relationship. A client could respond by becoming defensive or, worse yet, internalizing the negative reflections about himself or herself. |
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Term
| using professional jargon and defining a client in terms of his or her diagnosis may... |
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Definition
| result in a client viewing himself or herself in the same way (as “sick”). |
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Term
| Providing reassurance prematurely or without a genuine basis |
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Definition
- often for a social worker’s benefit rather than a client’s
- It is a social worker’s responsibility to explore and acknowledge a client’s feelings, no matter how painful they are
- A client may also feel that a social worker does not understand his or her situation |
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Term
| Ill-timed or frequent interruptions can... |
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Definition
| disrupt the interview process and can annoy clients. Interruptions should be purposive, well-timed, and done in such a way that they do not disrupt the flow of communication. |
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Term
| excessive social interactions rather than therapeutic interaction |
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Definition
- counterproductive
- In order for a client to benefit from the helping relationship, he or she has to self-disclose about problematic issues. |
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Term
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Definition
| ocial workers must provide structure and direction to the therapeutic process on a moment-to-moment basis in order to maximize the helping process. Passive or inactive social workers may miss fruitful moments that could be used for client benefit. Clients may lose confidence in social workers who are not actively involved in the helping process. |
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Term
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Definition
| An acknowledgment of “what is.” Acceptance does not pass judgment on a circumstance and allows clients to let go of frustration and disappointment, stress and anxiety, regret and false hopes. Acceptance is the practice of recognizing the limits of one’s control. Acceptance is not giving up or excusing other people’s behavior and allowing it to continue. Acceptance is not about giving in to circumstances that are unhealthy or uncomfortable. The main thing that gets in the way of acceptance is wanting to be in control. |
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Term
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Definition
| Arises when a person has to choose between two contradictory attitudes and beliefs. The most dissonance arises when two options are equally attractive. Three ways to reduce dissonance are to (a) reduce the importance of conflicting beliefs, (b) acquire new beliefs that change the balance, or (c) remove the conflicting attitude or behavior. This theory is relevant when making decisions or solving problems. |
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Term
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Definition
| The circumstances surrounding human exchanges of information. |
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Term
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Definition
| Offering two contradictory messages and prohibiting the recipient from noticing the contradiction. |
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Term
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Definition
| Repeating noises and phrases. It is associated with Catatonia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia, and other disorders. |
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Term
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Definition
| Anything people perceive from their environments or from within themselves. People act in response to information. |
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Term
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Definition
| Responses to information that are mediated through one’s perception and evaluation of knowledge received. |
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Term
| Information processing block |
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Definition
| Failure to perceive and evaluate potentially useful new information. |
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Term
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Definition
| The context within which to interpret the content of the message (i.e., nonverbal communication, body language, vocalizations). |
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Term
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Definition
| Facial expression, body language, and posture can be potent forms of communication. |
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Term
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Definition
Manifest content is the concrete words or terms contained in a communication.
Relying just on the manifest content to understand client experiences or problems may result in not really understanding their meaning to individuals. |
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Term
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Definition
| latent content is that which is not visible, the underlying meaning of words or terms. |
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