SOCW 6200: Human Behavior and the Social Environment I Week 8
Assignment: Connecting Knowledge and Research
In order to provide the appropriate intervention, social workers first need to have conducted a thorough assessment. Having a comprehensive understanding of a client and their social environment, including the influence of racism and ethnocentrism, allows a social worker to accurately identify the presenting problems and help the client develop goals to address their needs. Not completing a full assessment may result in inaccurately identifying the presenting problem and pushing goals on the client to which they do not agree. A good assessment is the best foundation for treatment planning.
In addition, evidence based practice requires social workers to use the best available evidence to inform their practice decisions. This assignment helps you prepare for the final project by beginning to identify the presenting problem and possible goals, as well as beginning the research process to inform your treatment recommendations when working with the identified client in a case study.
To prepare: Conduct research in the Walden library to locate at least 1 peer-reviewed scholarly resource(s) that could inform your assessment or intervention with the case you plan to use in your final project.
By Day 7 07/24/2021
Submit a 2-3 page paper in APA format 7 in which you:
Identify the case you will be using for the final project
Describe the presenting problem(s)
Describe 2 goals for the client based on their presenting problem
Identify a specific peer-reviewed article and explain how it could inform understanding of the problem/population, development of goals, or intervention and treatment plan
Explain how ethnocentrism and racism may influence the case (make sure to draw from this week’s assigned readings)
Follow Rubric Detail
Responsiveness to Directions
13.5 (27%) – 15 (30%)
Assignment fully addresses all instruction prompts.
Content
18 (36%) – 20 (40%)
Paper demonstrates an excellent understanding of all of the concepts and key points presented in the text(s) and Learning Resources. Paper provides significant detail including multiple relevant examples, evidence from the readings and other sources, and discerning ideas. Paper demonstrates exemplary critical thought.
Writing
13.5 (27%) – 15 (30%)
Assignment is well organized, uses scholarly tone, follows APA style, uses original writing and proper paraphrasing, contains very few or no writing and/or spelling errors, and is fully consistent with graduate level writing style. Assignment contains multiple, appropriate and exemplary sources expected/required for the assignment.
Required Readings
Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Chapter 5, “Ethnocentrism and Racism” (pp. 233-281)

Melchert, T. P. (2015). Treatment planning. In Biopsychosocial practice: A science-based framework for behavioral health care (pp. 183-209). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association.
Cristol, D., & Gimbert, B. (2008). Racial perceptions of young children: A review of literature post-1999. Early Childhood Education Journal, 36(2), 201 –207
Priest, N., Paradies, Y., Trenerry, B., Truong, M., Karlsen, S., & Kelly, Y. (2013). A systematic review of studies examining the relationship between reported racism and health and wellbeing for children and young people. Social Science & Medicine, 95, 115 –127.
Svetaz, M. V., Chulani, V., West, K. J., Voss, R., Kelley, M. A., Raymond-Flesch, M., … & Barkley, L. (2018). Racism and its harmful effects on nondominant racial –ethnic youth and youth-serving providers: A call to action for organizational change: The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Journal of Adolescent Health, 63(2), 257-261.
Link for all articles:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BgSevpeEtvMOMWuF0wXWwsCke7e9CtX1?usp=sharing
Week 8: Ethnocentrism and Racism: Impact on Development
Social workers should act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, political belief, religion, or mental or physical disability.
–The National Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics (1999)
The development of adolescent minorities can be adversely affected when they are confronted with prejudice, discrimination, and oppression. It is nearly impossible for one to grow up with a sense of self-concept intact in a society that labels one inferior. Trying to establish one’s identity and place in the world becomes a burdensome challenge when surrounded by attitudes and behaviors that limit the ability to develop in socially and psychologically healthy ways. This week you examine the impact that ethnocentrism and racism have on the development of adolescents.
References
Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.