Chapter 2 Four Knowledgeable Areas

The Four Core Knowledgeable Areas

The four core knowledgeable areas of social work are as follows:

1) Human behavior and social environment
2) Social welfare policy and programs
3) Social work practice
4) Research methods

A profession must be uniquely qualified to practice it's discipline. This is most times derived from training and schooling usually in a university setting. (Cowles., L.A.F., 2011)
The social worker, through training, schooling and experience would know and put into practice these four knowledgeable areas everyday in some way.

 Number one is human behavior and social environment. This encompasses the biological, psychological, and social environment and development of a human being and how it causes and affect the development and behavior of a human being which can determine social functioning of an individual. (Ashford, J.b., Lecroy, C. W., Lortie, K.L., 2006)

Number two is the social welfare policy and programs. This areas referred to as systems or agencies determine who gets what and how much and what the requirements and restrictions are. This is normally on a macro level but can be used in a mezzo level. (Karger, H.J., Stoesz, D. 2010)

Number three is social work practice. The NASW (National Association of Social Workers) is the largest organization for social workers in the United States. Different states each have their own license's requirement and many have their own chapter of NASW but collectively the NASW is the head of the operation. (Kirst-Ashman, K.K., Hull, G.H., 2012)

Number four is research methods. The social work profession uses empirical and scholarly journals to build their own research on. This is part of what knowledgeable based profession is (Cowles., L.A.F. 2013) Research is essential in social work in order to stay abreast of the lasts finding s and trends in intervention, treatment and outcomes.(Karger, H.J., Stoesz, D. 2010)

References

Ashford, J.b., Lecroy, C. W., Lortie, K.L., 2006 Hum an Behavior and Social Environment

Kirst-Ashman, K.K., Hull, G.H., 2012 Understanding General Practice

Karger, H.J., Stoesz, D. 2010 American Social Welfare Policy

Cowles, L.A.F., 2013Social Work in the Health Field  A care Perspective