ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some fundamental theories in sociology and how they can be applied to social work practice. It offers some additional examples of how conflict theory can be applied to a couple of common institutions: family and health care. The chapter explains specific examples of how functionalist theory can be applied to problems and issues and looks at the relevance of functionalist theory to social work. It provides a discussion on the application of symbolic interaction theory and its relevance to social work practice. Feminist theory, with the exception of black feminism, has ignored intersectionality and focused primarily on white women, excluding women of color. Social workers who focus on community- or organizational-based interventions, especially community action and change, will find perspectives like conflict theory useful. Critical practice theory views social problems as caused by oppressive societal structures and the cultural and moral assumptions generated and maintained by dominant groups.
