ConCLuSIon

Anita Gibbs and Kate van Heugten

E

ach chapter in this book identifies a number of ways in which a greater

understanding of social work theory, concepts, models, and skills might

benefit sociologists. Some of the ideas and practices may not be entirely

new to sociologists, who may have been using some components or techniques

while calling them by different names, although usually without fully under-

standing how those components fit into a comprehensive practice framework.

Hence, elements of public sociology might be expressed as community mind-

edness (chapter 5) or experiential learning (chapter 9) or praxis (chapter 2)

or reflexivity (chapter 2). There are, however, substantial distinct areas of

knowledge for practice that social work has developed into comprehensive

frameworks from which sociology can benefit; this provided the impetus for

the writing of this book.

The following paragraphs tease out what Gibbs in chapter 7 calls the social

work imagination—the linking of both theory and practice to interventions

and outcomes—and discuss its utility for sociologists. Each chapter in this

book provides insights into how the social work imagination can impact and

make a positive difference in sociology, in terms of values, ethics, practice,

and research.

Part I of the book (chapters 1, 2, and 3) lays the foundations of the social

work imagination. Here social work and sociology’s respective histories are

explored, and their points of convergence and difference are explained. The

social work frameworks, ethics, and values that are introduced here are relevant

beyond the world of social work, in many areas of human service practice and

public sociology. This applicability is illustrated in the case study of Aleena in

chapters 2 and 3. The need for both praxis—knowledge linked to action—and

critical reflection is noted. The framework of critical reflection links strongly

with sociological understandings of reflexivity but also challenges sociologists