Communication in Social Work

PS 2304 0505193

“Communication is to relationships what breathing is to life”.

Discuss in relation to the social work task within the current social – political climate.

Discussing such a statement in relation to the social work task needs a deeper understanding of the actual saying before dwelling deeper into the concept. I will attempt to talk about the statement in the light of social work task, and will aim to maintain the discussion with the social-political climate. I will then conclude by analysing how the statement may be true or false, and will attempt to explain if the statement is relevant with accordance to the current social political climate in the social work task.

We must firstly define what is being mentioned in the statement. ‘Communication: the giving or exchange of information through a variety of media’ (Dictionary of Social work 2002). Human beings communicate all the time in all different ways, which include verbal and non-verbal forms. These communications are both intentional and also done subconsciously. In fact, Waltzawick et al - cited by Koprowska (2005: 6) claim that ‘one cannot not communicate’. Our interactions with others inevitably entail communication, a large proportion of which are done non-verbally, through body language, posture, facial expressions etc, as well as language, tone and pitch of voice and so on. Our reactions and behaviour also give out messages, hence, are forms of communicating. To understand the meaning of what is being communicated, what messages are being sent/received and having effective communication skills are integral to social work practice. Trevithick (2005) states ‘I do not believe that it is possible to be an effective practitioner without being an effective communicator’ (p: 8).

Once we have established that, we must understand the similarity and analogy being used. The statement boldly compares two things which in actually nature may have nothing in common. The two descriptions which are being compared are 'relationships' and 'life' and the item which in order of discussion is 'Communication' with 'Breathing'. How can communication in relationships, which is social, be compared to the basis biological need of breathing?

In an ethical debate it may be accepted that this comparison is actually a tacit emphasis of Communication. It is much understood the importance of breathing in order to maintain life. The need of oxygen is needed to live, and the action of breathing finely caters for this need. The similarity which is being made is that of the need of 'oxygen' in relationships, and in order for it to stay 'alive' communication is essential, like breathing.

If we are to understand this concept in-depth, we must understand what the purpose of effective communication is and what types of communication have different outcomes, and why such relevance can be made about communication, to breathing. as social work task communication is one basis which offers service users their medium of expressing feelings of difficulty stress and other feelings which they maybe going through. The understandable way of communication is language and off course this is the basic ability of talking, this is verbal communication. however, when communication with service users and other people it is essential to understand that it is not only what is said that can be understood, but rather a great deal of information can be transferred without the help of talking.

It is probably going to be most likely that as a social work task we are going to be faced with vulnerable people, who are not able to express or even worse are not able to be understood. So the basic introduction when communicating becomes an opening way of making communication as important as breathing. Trevithick feels that a way to establish rapport is by ensuring people receive a warm and respectful welcome (2005:150), and this will be the fundamental of effective communication. Through communication all social work practitioners will find that they are able to make clients realised ...

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The role of expectations in life is being explored more broadly, more deeply, and more practically (kirsch, 1999). Clients need to find the motivation to seize their goals and run with them. The more they find their motivation within themselves the better. "Self regulations" is the ideal. Helping clients choose goals, commit to them, and develop a sense of agency and assertiveness (Galassi & Brunch, 1992) is part of self regulation picture. Expectations, whether great or not, are also part of the self regulation picture.

Like breathing is done involuntarily communication can also be done without one actually noticing, this is non-verbal communication. This is when such qualities such as body posture, eye contact, proximity and atmosphere have an effect on the person that one is communicating with. This maybe another reason why communication is compared to breathing. Regarding non-verbal behaviour, Egan (2002:67) states that they can ‘indicate the quality of your presence’ to clients. So a social work practitioner will pay much attention to the way they present themselves as showing their presence is that of a quality one, making them feel at ease. However, with regards to clients, they to use non-verbal communication to communicate matters. ‘Clients send messages through their non-verbal behaviour. The ability of people read these messages can contribute to their relationship well-being’ (Carlton, Keslar and Pape, 1999 - cited by Egan, 2002:83). And as we discussed earlier the well-being of the relationship will lead to positive outcomes such as client self-efficiency.

If clients are vulnerable, or more so they are abused such as gays and lesbians, or even stigmatised when known to have sexual diseases it must be understood that communication is an essential part in empowering and maintaining good relationships so that behaviour of the clients are understood.

Communication with important social referents, beliefs, and intentions to use condoms is described. The purpose of this study is to determine if individuals communicate with important social referents and to investigate effects of communications and the effects of race and gender on communication. The theoretical framework relies on the theory of reasoned action (TRA), where attitudes (beliefs about the consequences of the behaviour and an evaluation of those consequences) and norms (perceived normative expectations of important social referents and the motivation to comply with those expectations) determine behavioural intention.

We have understood the benefits of verbal communication, but what do we know about the negative outcomes, and instead of helping clients a reverse role may apply. As Egan (2005) notes about continuous talking:

Clients, like the rest of us, become what they talk about. If you always encourage them to talk about problems, they run the risk of becoming “problem people.” Then helping turns into remedying pathology and deficit. What clients focus on becomes their chronic reality.

(Egan, 2005:246)

There is a clear understanding that there is a magnified importance between communication and relationships. In order for relationships to be established there must be an effective communication, knowingly and unknowingly. The similitude that of which is breathing, which is done knowingly when we inhale and exhale, but unknowingly when the action is carried on during times that we are asleep.

In light of the socio-political climate it is clear that communication is something which lacks in most of the people who are in power or as such represent the majority of the people.

The Afghans say a humorous tale of an American who sought enlightenment in their land. Upon arrival he asked the first Afghan he saw, who is the most knowledgeable man in your land? The Afghan knowing no English replied "nami Fahmaam!” which means "I don’t know what you’re talking about". The American set out looking for this gentleman named Nami Fahmaam, and soon came across a funeral procession and out of curiosity asked and onlooker, "whose funeral is this? The Afghan again not knowing no English replied "naami Fahmaam!", again ' I don’t know what your talking about!’ the American sat there and cried and to think 'I just missed him'

The moral of the story is that we must understand the people before we are to take benefit from them, or even benefit them. In the current crisis everyone seems to be shouting but no one seems to be understanding. Unfortunately in the absence of real discourse, extremism has produced its own language and communication which the mob does understand and adhere to. "You’re either with us or without us" has been the tune uttered by both sides, which oversimplifies a complex matter. Reason and truth have always resided in the middle ground between black and white, good and evil. However, life seems anything but black and white. Adhering to this middle ground enables us to unite in the common humanity and its main core value.

Moderation is in fact a way of thinking of most people, the vast majority of humanity is not extremist, but at extreme times may easily be driven so. Imam Hamza Yusuf, a faith leader in the United States mentions about the current socio-political climate:

"my fear is if we continue to bomb a already war ravished and defeated nation, while telling them we are not at war with them…they will only reply "Naami Fahmaam", "I don’t know what you're talking about"

Extracted from: Imam Hamza Yusuf

Thought for the Day 01

It is almost omissible to think that communication from the higher ranks in society is not present. Communication is a key to any relationship, whether it be political or whether it be a family relationship, the need of 'breathing' in relationship is essential. How is it possible that nations are not able to understand each other, and much of the political climate is dominated by misunderstandings? ‘Ethical judgements are about human welfare – for example, the promotion of human happiness or the satisfaction of needs’ (Norman, 1998; Warnock, 1967 - cited in Banks, 2001:161).

Can communication be understood in a political level, where by nations are clients to nations, and the only practitioners are the people who rule the power seats? Even if we are to explore the client’s needs, it seems as though clients may still not be able to reveal all that is needed, yet not to think about information being shared in the level of the political atmosphere.

To think of it in an interview basis whereby a social work practitioner and client are in a room, and clients reveal information at the end of the interview due to the lack of communication which has taken place during the interview. Whatever the reason may be, the question arises should this issue be given any significance to, or should be disregarded? Trevethick (2005:182) appreciates the difficulties encountered by practitioners when significant information is revealed at the end of an interview, which she refers to as ‘doorknob revelations’.

These occur where significant or painful information is revealed at the end of the interview, as we are about to leave. As a practitioner, these revelations put us in a difficult ‘no-win’ situation. To extend the time boundary could mean we have lost control of it, but to be too rigid could involve missing an opportunity to understand the service user better. Also, on occasion it can be very important to show that we are willing to change the time boundary – to be flexible and to adapt – in order to meet the needs being expressed.

(Trevithick, 2005:182-183)

Within communication one will definitely come to terms with weakness which may occur when they communicate within a client practitioner relationship. Effective communication is a skill which learnt and is not a quality which is innate in most people.

Furthermore, studying about the in-depth nature of communication has further helped develop my communication skills, thus equipping me to practice according to The National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Social Work, development of which has apparently been informed by a number of ‘Expectations’ beginning with ‘communication skills’ (TOPSS, 2002). The following list states all the categories:

Communication skills and information sharing

Good social work practice

Advocacy

Working with other professionals

Knowledge

Values

(See TOPSS (NOS) - Statement of Expectations)

Adhering to this middle ground of agreeing with statement I would like to emphasize the accuracy of the actual statement which is in discussion. I have explained how effective communication is helpful to a social work practitioner, that it can help the client in many ways than one, and then this is actually the main way of maintaining relationships. Which will agree with the statement that “communication is to relationships what breathing is to life”?

In my opinion the importance of maintaining a relationship whether it is professional or personal, it always starts off with communicating verbally, and is always maintained due to this continuous exchange of feelings and emotions. Similar to maintaining life, it starts off as a baby, when u takes your first breaths and it is so essential that it may terminate life. The similitude is struck because if both communication and breathing stops, so does relationships and life, so hence I agree with the statement, and feel that it should be adhered to as a social work practitioner.

References:

Banks, S. (2001) Ethics and Values in Social Work. 2nd edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave

Egan, G. (2002) A problem-Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping. 2nd edn. Pacific Grove, USA: Books/Cole

Koprowska, J. (2005) Communication and Interpersonal skills in Social Work. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd

Pierson, .J and Thomas, M. (eds) (2002) Dictionary of Social Work 2nd edn. Glasglw: HarperCollins Publishers

TOPSS UK (2002) The National Occupational Standards for Social Work. Working Copy. Available online at http://www.topss.org.uk/uk_eng/standards/cdrom/Englan-d/Main.htm (Accessed: 26/03/2006)

Trevithick, P. (2005) Social Work Skills – A Practice Handbook. 2nd edn. Berkshire: Open University Press

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Interpersonal and Inter Professional