Book review
Title: Applied Psychology for Social Workers
Author(s): Nicolson, P. Bayne, R. and Owen, J.
Year: 2006
Edition: 3
Number of pages: 198
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
ISBN: 1403945667
Price: £17.99
Reviewer: Neil Bennett, Lecturer in Health and Social Care, Stockton Riverside College
Review date: 13 February 2008
Overview
The book offers a brief (170 pages) introduction to the practical application of psychology within social care. It is divided into 3 parts, a general introduction as to what role psychology plays within social work, interpersonal and practice skills and the context of social work. These sections are subdivided into chapters that look at interviewing, counselling, stress management groupwork, personality types, social work settings, social policy and the future of psychology within social work. Each chapter explores the issues and suggests tasks that will help the students put into practice what they have learned.
Learning and Teaching
I currently do not use the book for teaching but I feel it would be very useful for students taking NVQ’s in Health and Social care as it links theory to practice well and in my experience NVQ students relate well to this type of learning material. It is an introductory text that would be of benefit to students at National Qualification Framework (NQF) levels 2, 3 and 4. I would not see it as beneficial to students of psychology beyond NQF level 4 as explained later. I would include this book (especially part 2 of the book) on the reading list for the above students as this section focuses on communication and would see this as ideal preparatory reading. In addition chapter 7 offers thought provoking information for those delivering care and I will recommend it to all level 4 students and colleagues teaching on these programmes. As it is an introduction the reader would not need any prior knowledge of the subject matter but further reading may benefit the students and the authors make recommendations for further reading.
General
The book presents a good overview of the practical application of some of the more “popular” aspects of psychology and counselling prevalent today but as such it does not explore any of them in any depth. This can be seen as both the strength and weakness of the book, strong as an introductory text and this appears to be what it sets out to do but weak as it lacks the depth a qualified social worker will need to function effectively. I found the layout particularly helpful as the book can either be read in its entirety or dipped into to assist with the understanding of various subjects. However I feel some of the tasks set at the end of each chapter are in advance of the learning that may have taken place. The information is very current and uses up to date resources to inform the reader of developments in psychology within the social care sector. The only omission I feel impacts on the book is that the authors generally present the various perspectives but fail to offer any criticisms that have since been levelled at the theories and in several cases (e.g. Freud page 19 and Strategies for dealing with stress page 78) raise questions regarding the assertions and effectiveness of theories and strategies without offering further insights. The book is well referenced and each chapter offers suggestions for future reading giving brief summaries of the books recommended which is very useful.
