Annotated Bibliography (3)
Importance of Empathy for Social Work Practice: Integrating New Science
Karen E. Gerdes and Elizabeth Segal
In “Importance of Empathy for Social Work Practice: Integrating New Science”, they discuss how being empathetic is a key factor in being successful as a social worker. They state, “Understanding how empathy works can help social workers "in the trenches" connect more emphatically with clients from a wider range of sociocultural backgrounds while making them less vulnerable to becoming overwhelmed, burnt out, or dysfunctionally enmeshed with clients.” The problem many social workers face is that they are unable to empathize correctly and as a result become frustrated and emotionally challenged. The journal speaks about how social workers need to enhance their understanding of being “empathic” towards their clients. They go on to explaining what empathy is and how it is vital. They discuss how it works and how it can be used. They give an example as such, “For example, a male social worker who deliberately puts aside his own intellectual constructs and deeply listens to a woman's story of a difficult childbirth, noticing her tone and words and watching her nonverbal gestures, might begin to experience the feelings of pain, fear, and joy that are associated with giving birth. Like anyone who pays close attention, he may also unconsciously mimic her facial expression and body positions, a somatic "echo" of feelings that he himself could never physically experience except through empathy.” They mention that in order to empathize with someone you need to be conscious of the situation and set aside your personal thoughts and try to relate back to your client and make an appropriate connection with them. The article gave great points to follow and descriptive examples that helped me understand how to empathize successfully.
Importance of Empathy for Social Work Practice: Integrating New Science
Karen E. Gerdes and Elizabeth Segal
In “Importance of Empathy for Social Work Practice: Integrating New Science”, they discuss how being empathetic is a key factor in being successful as a social worker. They state, “Understanding how empathy works can help social workers "in the trenches" connect more emphatically with clients from a wider range of sociocultural backgrounds while making them less vulnerable to becoming overwhelmed, burnt out, or dysfunctionally enmeshed with clients.” The problem many social workers face is that they are unable to empathize correctly and as a result become frustrated and emotionally challenged. The journal speaks about how social workers need to enhance their understanding of being “empathic” towards their clients. They go on to explaining what empathy is and how it is vital. They discuss how it works and how it can be used. They give an example as such, “For example, a male social worker who deliberately puts aside his own intellectual constructs and deeply listens to a woman's story of a difficult childbirth, noticing her tone and words and watching her nonverbal gestures, might begin to experience the feelings of pain, fear, and joy that are associated with giving birth. Like anyone who pays close attention, he may also unconsciously mimic her facial expression and body positions, a somatic "echo" of feelings that he himself could never physically experience except through empathy.” They mention that in order to empathize with someone you need to be conscious of the situation and set aside your personal thoughts and try to relate back to your client and make an appropriate connection with them. The article gave great points to follow and descriptive examples that helped me understand how to empathize successfully.
Annotated Bibliography (2)
“Human Rights: Its Meaning and Practice in Social Work Field Settings.”
The journal discussed human rights and issues that social workers see on a daily basis through a study that involved 35 students studying to be a social worker and 48 supervisors. Their responses were recorded and they described scenarios such as dealing with clients who struggle with poverty, domestic abuse, discrimination, etc,. They discussed these scenarios and the possible victims in these situations.
They discussed that the social working code "requires social workers within the United States to respect dignity and worth of the people." Regardless of who you are or what your social class is, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. Your situation does not define you. The journal was able to make real life connections with the student's responses. It was useful because a lot of the scenarios are scenarios that exist. The journal gave great advice and gave in depth explanations that were useful.
The journal was credible for the reason that not only did it have 5 authors that collaborated to gather responses and create a journal published in 2017 , but it was able to make real life connections. It was not just listing random situations. It listed situations that social workers face on a daily basis.
Overall, it gave me great advice. I thought it to be a really great idea to conduct the study using students and supervisors who are studying or are already in the career that I have chosen to pursue because it was something I can one day relate back to.
“Human Rights: Its Meaning and Practice in Social Work Field Settings.”
The journal discussed human rights and issues that social workers see on a daily basis through a study that involved 35 students studying to be a social worker and 48 supervisors. Their responses were recorded and they described scenarios such as dealing with clients who struggle with poverty, domestic abuse, discrimination, etc,. They discussed these scenarios and the possible victims in these situations.
They discussed that the social working code "requires social workers within the United States to respect dignity and worth of the people." Regardless of who you are or what your social class is, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. Your situation does not define you. The journal was able to make real life connections with the student's responses. It was useful because a lot of the scenarios are scenarios that exist. The journal gave great advice and gave in depth explanations that were useful.
The journal was credible for the reason that not only did it have 5 authors that collaborated to gather responses and create a journal published in 2017 , but it was able to make real life connections. It was not just listing random situations. It listed situations that social workers face on a daily basis.
Overall, it gave me great advice. I thought it to be a really great idea to conduct the study using students and supervisors who are studying or are already in the career that I have chosen to pursue because it was something I can one day relate back to.