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Case Study 2

The social worker visits the McKinley family home to provide hospice services for 79-year-old Ruth McKinley, who has terminal breast cancer. Ruth lives with her son Stanley, his wife Marcia, and their daughter Bethany. Ruth worries about her estranged daughter and hopes Stanley can find purpose. The family has struggled financially and with caregiving duties since Ruth moved in 5 years ago. Stanley recently lost his job, Marcia was injured, and they may lose their home to foreclosure. The social worker refers them to a counseling program for families facing foreclosure.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
53 views12 pages

Case Study 2

The social worker visits the McKinley family home to provide hospice services for 79-year-old Ruth McKinley, who has terminal breast cancer. Ruth lives with her son Stanley, his wife Marcia, and their daughter Bethany. Ruth worries about her estranged daughter and hopes Stanley can find purpose. The family has struggled financially and with caregiving duties since Ruth moved in 5 years ago. Stanley recently lost his job, Marcia was injured, and they may lose their home to foreclosure. The social worker refers them to a counseling program for families facing foreclosure.
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Human Behavior (SECTION-B)

CASE#(2)
CASE STUDY

Intergenerational Stresses in the McKinley Family


The hospice social worker meets three generations of McKinley’s when she
visits their home in an upper-Midwestern city. She is there because the family
has requested hospice services for Ruth McKinley, the 79-year-old mother of
Stanley McKinley. Ruth has a recurrence of breast cancer that has metastasized
to her lungs; she is no longer receiving aggressive treatment, and her condition
is deteriorating. Upon entering the house, the social worker meets 50-year-old
Stanley, his 51-year-old wife, Marcia, and their 25-year-old daughter, Bethany,
who takes the social worker to a bedroom to meet her grandmother. She gives
Ruth a gentle pat and introduces the social worker. Ruth smiles at Bethany and
greets the social worker. Bethany leaves the room to give some privacy to the
social worker and her grandmother. The social worker spends about 20 minutes
with Ruth and finds her weak but interested in talking. Ruth says she knows that
she is receiving hospice care because she is dying. She says she has lived a
good life and is not afraid of dying. She goes on to say, however, that there are
some things on her mind as she thinks about her life. She is thinking a lot about
her estranged daughter who lives several states away, and she does not want to
die with this “hardness between us.” She also is thinking a lot about Stanley,
who is unemployed, and hoping that he can find a spark in his life again. Bethany
is very much on her mind, as well. She says she worries that Bethany is
sacrificing too much of her young life to the needs of the family. As Ruth grows
tired, the social worker ends the conversation, saying that she would like to visit
with Ruth again next week so that they can talk some more about Ruth’s life and
the things that are on her mind. Back in the living room, the social worker talks
with Stanley, Marcia, and Bethany. She learns that Ruth moved into Stanley and
Marcia’s home 5 years ago after she had a stroke that left her with left-sided
paralysis. At that time, Stanley and Marcia took out a second mortgage on their
house to finance some remodeling to make the home more accessible for Ruth,
providing her with a bedroom and bathroom downstairs. They also put in a
much-needed new furnace at the same time. Bethany speaks up to say that her
grandmother is the kindest person she knows and that they were all happy to
rearrange their home life to make Ruth comfortable. Marcia notes that it seemed
the natural thing to do, because Ruth had taken care of Bethany while Marcia
worked during Bethany’s early years. After Ruth came to live with them, Stanley
continued to work at a print shop, and Marcia changed to the evening shift in her
job as a police dispatcher. Bethany arranged her work and part-time community
college studies so that she could be available to her grandmother between the
time her mother left for work and her father returned from his workday. She
took charge of preparing dinner for her dad and grandmother and giving Ruth a
daily bath. This arrangement worked well for 4 years. Bethany speaks fondly of
the good times she and her grandmother had together as Bethany provided
direct care to her grandmother, and her grandmother showered her with stories
of the past and took a lively interest in her life, often giving her advice about
her romantic life. Marcia breaks in to say that life has been tough for the past
year, however, and her voice cracks as she says this. She recounts that they
learned of the recurrence of Ruth’s breast cancer 11 months ago and of the
metastasis 5 months ago. For a few months, Stanley, Marcia, and Bethany
juggled their schedules to get Ruth to doctor visits, chemotherapy treatments,
and bone scans, until Ruth and the oncologist decided that it was time to
discontinue aggressive treatment. Then, 7 months ago, Stanley lost his job at
the printing company where he had worked since getting out of the army, and he
has been unsuccessful in finding new work. They were still managing financially
with the help of unemployment checks until Marcia took a tumble down the
stairs and injured her back and hip 4 months ago. She had surgery, which was
followed by complications, and has been out of work on disability. She is
expecting to go back to work next week. Bethany says she has wanted to work
more to bring more money into the home, but she has also been needed at home
more to fill in for Marcia. She lost one job because of too many absences and
has pieced together two part-time jobs that give her a little more flexibility. She
worries, however, about having no health insurance because she needs ongoing
treatment for asthma and hears so many different stories about how the
Affordable Care Act will affect her. Marcia says that Stanley has been a
wonderful caregiver to her and his mom, but she knows that the caregiving has
interfered with his job search and is wearing him down. Stanley enters the
conversation to report that they have been unable to make mortgage payments
for the past 3 months, and the bank has notified him that they are at risk of
facing foreclosure. He becomes despondent as he relates this. He says they
have been in the house for 15 years and had always paid the mortgage on time.
The second mortgage for the remodeling is adding to the current financial pinch.
He says he is in a quandary about what to do. Marcia is going back to work
soon, but she is still not strong enough to provide much physical care to Ruth. In
addition, Stanley is not at all optimistic that he will find a job in the near future.
His former boss has now closed the printing shop because she lost some of her
large clients. Stanley wonders if he should retrain for another occupation but
knows that this is not a good time for him to try to do that, with his mother’s
deteriorating condition. Bethany suggests that she take some time off from
school and find a job working nights so that she can give her dad time to look
for jobs during the day. She has graduated from community college and been
accepted into a bachelor’s degree program in nursing. She says she is feeling
too sad about her grandmother and too worried about the family’s future to do
well in school anyway. Besides that, she would like to be able to spend more
time with her grandmother before she dies. At this point, Marcia breaks down
and cries, sobbing that she just wants to give up: “We work so hard, but nothing
goes our way. I don’t know where we will go if we lose the house.” As the
family talks about their problems and possible solutions, the social worker
recalls that she has heard something about a community program that provides
counseling to people who are in jeopardy of home foreclosure. She wonders if
that could help the McKinley family.

Perspectives:
1. System perspective: (outcome of interactions within and among systems)
(A system perspective is a way of looking at the world and understanding it as a collection of
interconnected and interdependent systems. This perspective recognizes that everything in the world
is part of a larger system, and that any change in one part of the system can have ripple effects
throughout the whole system.

From a system perspective, each system is made up of components that interact with each
other in specific ways to produce certain outcomes. These components can include people,
organizations, processes, technologies, and environments, among others. The behavior of
each component is influenced by the behavior of the other components within the system,
as well as by external factors.
The system perspective also emphasizes the importance of feedback loops within systems.
Feedback loops are mechanisms that allow a system to adjust its behavior based on the
outcomes of previous behavior. They help systems maintain stability and adapt to changes
in their environment.)
The systems perspective sees human behavior as the outcome of interactions within and among systems
of interrelated parts. Its roots are very interdisciplinary, and there are many theoretical variations.
During the 1940s and 1950s, a variety of disciplines—including mathematics, physics, engineering,
biology, psychology, cultural anthropology, economics, and sociology—began looking at phenomena as
the outcome of interactions within and among systems. Mathematicians and engineers used the new
ideas about system feedback mechanisms—the processes by which information about past behaviors in
a system are fed back into the system in a circular manner—to develop military and communication
technologies. The development of the computer and sophisticated computer models for analyzing
information has influenced continuous revision of the systems perspective.

1. In Pakistan, there are significant challenges in providing quality healthcare services to the
population, particularly in rural areas. From a system perspective, this problem can be
understood as a complex and interdependent network of factors, including the availability of
resources, healthcare infrastructure, government policies, and cultural beliefs about health and
illness. To address this problem, a system-wide approach is needed that involves collaboration
between different stakeholders such as government, healthcare providers, community
organizations, and individuals.

2. In Pakistan, there are many environmental challenges such as air pollution, water pollution, and
deforestation, which have negative impacts on public health, natural resources, and
biodiversity. From a system perspective, these environmental challenges are part of a complex
and interconnected system of factors, including economic development, urbanization,
government policies, and cultural beliefs about the environment. To address these challenges, a
system-wide approach is needed that involves collaboration between different stakeholders
such as government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, and individuals. This approach
should focus on promoting sustainable development, reducing environmental degradation, and
improving the quality of life for the population.

2. Conflict perspective: (conflicts that arise because of inequalities in the distribution of resources)

(The conflict perspective is a sociological approach that emphasizes the role of power and inequality
in shaping social relationships and structures. It views society as a collection of groups and
individuals who are in competition with each other for limited resources and opportunities.

According to the conflict perspective, social order is maintained through the use of power by
dominant groups to control and exploit subordinate groups. This power can be economic, political,
cultural, or a combination of these factors. Conflict theorists argue that social institutions such as the
government, the legal system, and the media serve the interests of the dominant groups and
reinforce their power and privilege.

The conflict perspective is particularly concerned with issues of social justice and inequality. It seeks
to uncover the ways in which social structures and institutions perpetuate oppression and
marginalization, and to develop strategies for challenging these systems of power.

Some of the key concepts associated with the conflict perspective include class struggle, exploitation,
alienation, and ideology. Class struggle refers to the ongoing conflict between the working class and
the capitalist class over the distribution of resources and power. Exploitation refers to the process by
which the capitalist class extracts surplus value from the labor of the working class. Alienation refers
to the feeling of disconnection and powerlessness experienced by workers in capitalist societies.
Ideology refers to the dominant beliefs and values that serve to justify the existing social order and
maintain the power of the ruling class.)

The conflict perspective emphasizes conflicts that arise because of inequalities in the distribution of
resources. It typically looks for sources of conflict in the economic and political arenas, and more
recently in the cultural arena. The conflict perspective is a way of understanding society as a system
characterized by inequality and conflict over limited resources and power. In the context of Pakistan, a
conflict perspective can help us to understand how different groups within society are competing for
resources and power, and how this competition can lead to conflict.
1. In Pakistan, there is a significant gender inequality issue, where women are often discriminated
against in various areas of life, such as education, employment, and political participation. From
a conflict perspective, this inequality is seen as a result of power imbalances and social
structures that favor men over women. The conflict perspective would suggest that the solution
to this problem lies in challenging and changing these power structures through collective
action, such as feminist movements and advocacy for women's rights.

2. In Pakistan, there are many ethnic and sectarian conflicts, particularly in areas such as
Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwah, and Karachi. From a conflict perspective, these conflicts are
seen as a result of power struggles and resource competition between different ethnic and
sectarian groups. The conflict perspective would suggest that the solution to these conflicts lies
in addressing the root causes of the conflicts, such as resource allocation, political
representation, and cultural differences, and promoting social justice and equality for all groups
involved.

3. Exchange and Choice perspective:


(Understanding the Processes of Resource Allocation and Decision Making)
Introduction: In examining the McKinley family scenario, one can adopt different perspectives,
including the exchange and choice perspective. This perspective focuses on the processes of
resource allocation and decision-making in individual and collective actors in a social context.
This essay will define the exchange and choice perspective, explain the perspective, and provide
examples of how the concept applies in daily life.
Defining the Exchange and Choice Perspective: The exchange and choice perspective is a
theoretical framework that seeks to understand how individuals and groups seek, allocate, and
exchange resources, including material and non-material resources like time, money, affection,
and social connections. This perspective draws insights from various disciplines such as
behavioral psychology, economics, anthropology, sociology, and philosophy. The perspective
assumes that human beings are rational and self-interested in their decision-making, weighing
the benefits and costs of every choice they make. Furthermore, the perspective focuses on how
individuals seek to maximize benefits and minimize costs in their social interactions, particularly
in the exchange of resources.
Explanation of the Perspective: The exchange and choice perspective is composed of several
streams of thought, including social exchange theory, rational choice theory, social network
theory, and social capital theory. Social exchange theory, developed by George Homans, views
social exchange as the core process in social life, where individuals seek to maximize benefits
and minimize costs in dyadic relationships. The theory assumes that social relationships occur in
a social marketplace, where people give to get and are always calculating the rewards and costs
of relationships. Similarly, Peter Belau’s social exchange theory views exchanges in organizations
and institutions as governed by a norm of reciprocity, where actors must give resources of
relatively equal value to receive resources. Belau acknowledges that imbalances in exchange
occur, and actors with the greatest resources hold power. Karen Cook and colleagues share
Belau’s concern about the fragility of trust in unequal relationships, emphasizing the importance
of trust-nurturing bodies like the Federal Food and Drug Administration. Rational choice theory
shares with exchange theories the view that humans are rational, purposive, and motivated by
self-interest. However, the theory is particularly interested in the group dynamics that occur
when rational actors make strategic decisions. Rational choice theorists explore the norms and
networks formed by social exchanges and how these norms and networks facilitate and
constrain the behavior and choices of individuals. Coleman, for instance, uses rational choice
theory to explore possible public policies that would offer incentives for actors to behave in
ways that are more beneficial to others. Social network theory, an offshoot of the rational
choice tradition, introduces the concept of the exchange network, which is a set of actors linked
together directly or indirectly through exchange relationships. Social networks are often
presented visually, with members of the network represented as points and lines drawn
between pairs of points to demonstrate the relationship between them. Social network theory
illuminates issues such as network size, density of relationships, strength of relationships,
reciprocity, and access to power and influence. Social capital theory is a recent outgrowth of
social network theory, which posits that social networks provide social capital, both direct and
indirect connections to others that are potential sources of various types of resources.
Examples of Exchange and Choice Perspective in Daily Life: The exchange and choice
perspective applies in various aspects of daily life, including family, work, and education. For
instance, in the McKinley family scenario, the family members' resources and contributions to
the family have shifted over time. Ruth's diminishing resources have been compensated by
emotional energy and care from the rest of the family. Marcia's caregiving role in the family has
become compromised, but her economic resources have become more important since Stanley
became unemployed. Bethany provides economic and caregiving resources to the family, and
there is no evidence that she considers her contributions to be unfair.
Exchange and choice perspective example: In a workplace, employees often engage in social
exchange processes. They provide work effort, skills, and time in exchange for rewards such as
salary, benefits, and recognition. The exchange can be both formal, such as through contracts
and job descriptions, and informal, such as through social relationships and networking.
Employees weigh the costs and benefits of their work effort and make choices about how much
effort to provide based on the rewards they receive. For example, an employee may choose to
work harder and take on more responsibilities if they receive a promotion or raise, or they may
choose to put in minimal effort if they feel they are not being fairly compensated. This way of
thinking about workplace dynamics is suggested by the exchange and choice perspective.
Family Relationships Example: The exchange and choice perspective can also be applied to
family relationships. Family members exchange resources such as emotional support, caregiving,
and economic resources. For instance, parents provide emotional support and care to their
children while expecting the children to contribute to the family by doing chores or helping with
younger siblings. Family members also make strategic decisions based on the expected rewards
and costs of their actions. For example, siblings may choose to share resources equally to
maintain reciprocity and trust, or one sibling may provide more resources to the family to gain
power and influence over other family members.

4. Social Constructionist perspective: (focuses on how people construct meaning, a sense of self,
and a social world through their interactions with each other)
(The social constructionist perspective is a theoretical framework used in sociology and other social
sciences to understand how people create and maintain social realities through their interactions
with each other. This perspective emphasizes the role of language, culture, and social institutions in
shaping our perceptions of reality.

According to the social constructionist perspective, social reality is not fixed or objective, but is
instead created and maintained through social processes. Our understanding of reality is shaped by
the language we use to describe it, the cultural norms and values we learn, and the social
institutions that surround us.

One of the key concepts associated with the social constructionist perspective is the idea of social
construction. Social construction refers to the process by which people collectively create and
maintain social reality. This process involves the use of language to describe and define reality, the
development of shared cultural meanings and symbols, and the creation of social institutions that
reinforce particular ways of understanding the world.

The social constructionist perspective is particularly concerned with issues of power and inequality. It
argues that dominant groups in society have the power to shape social reality in ways that benefit
them, while marginalizing and oppressing other groups. It also emphasizes the importance of
recognizing the diversity of perspectives and experiences that exist within society, and the need to
challenge dominant narratives and social norms in order to create more inclusive and just societies )

To understand human behavior, the social constructionist perspective focuses on how people
construct meaning, a sense of self, and a social world through their interactions with each other.
They learn, through their interactions, to classify the world and their place in it. People interact
with each other and the physical world based on shared meanings, or shared understandings
about the world. In this view, people develop their understandings of the world and themselves
from social interaction, and these understandings shape their subsequent social interactions.
Reality is shaped through social interaction and is continuously reshaped by ongoing social
interaction.

Example#1. In Pakistan, there is a widespread belief in the importance of preserving traditional gender
roles. From a social constructionist perspective, gender is not a fixed biological fact, but rather a socially
constructed category that is constantly being reproduced and reinforced through everyday practices and
beliefs. In this context, gender roles are constructed through social norms, cultural practices, and
individual experiences that shape the way individuals perceive themselves and others.

Example#2. In Pakistan, the perception of mental illness is often stigmatized. From a social
constructionist perspective, mental illness is not a fixed medical condition, but rather a socially
constructed category that is shaped by cultural and historical contexts. In this context, mental illness is
constructed through social norms, cultural practices, and individual experiences that shape the way
individuals perceive and respond to mental health issues. The social stigma associated with mental
illness in Pakistan can lead to negative consequences, such as discrimination, exclusion, and lack of
access to resources and treatment.
5. Psychodynamic perspective: (how internal processes such as needs, drives, and emotions
motivate human behavior.)

(The psychodynamic perspective is a theoretical framework used in psychology to understand


the human personality and behavior. This perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious
thoughts, feelings, and experiences in shaping our conscious thoughts and behaviors.
According to the psychodynamic perspective, the human personality is made up of three parts:
the id, the ego, and the superego. The id represents our primitive, instinctual drives and desires,
while the superego represents our moral and ethical values. The ego is the mediator between
the id and the superego, and it strives to balance our instinctual desires with our moral values.
The psychodynamic perspective also emphasizes the importance of early childhood experiences
in shaping our personality and behavior. Psychodynamic theorists believe that unresolved
conflicts and traumas from childhood can influence our unconscious thoughts and feelings, and
can lead to difficulties in our adult relationships and behaviors.
Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic approach that is based on the psychodynamic perspective. It
involves exploring a person's unconscious thoughts and feelings in order to gain insight into their
behavior and help them resolve unresolved conflicts and traumas from childhood).

The psychodynamic perspective is concerned with how internal processes such as needs, drives, and
emotions motivate human behavior. The perspective has evolved over the years, moving from the
classical psychodynamic emphasis on innate drives and unconscious processes toward greater emphasis
on the adaptive capacities of individuals and their interactions with the environment.

1. In Pakistan, there is a cultural emphasis on the importance of family and social relationships.
From a psychodynamic perspective, this emphasis on social relationships reflects the influence
of early childhood experiences on adult personality development. In this context, individuals
may have a strong attachment to their family members and may experience anxiety or
depression when these relationships are threatened or disrupted.

2. In Pakistan, there is a high prevalence of trauma and violence due to ongoing conflicts and social
unrest. From a psychodynamic perspective, trauma can have long-lasting effects on an
individual's psychological development. In this context, individuals who have experienced
trauma may develop symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
The psychodynamic perspective emphasizes the importance of exploring the unconscious
motivations and conflicts that underlie these symptoms, in order to promote healing and
recovery.

6. Developmental perspective: (how human behavior unfolds across the life course, how people
change and stay the same over time)

(The developmental perspective is a theoretical framework used in psychology and other social
sciences to understand human growth and development across the lifespan. This perspective
emphasizes the ways in which individuals change and develop over time, and how these changes are
influenced by biological, social, and environmental factors.
According to the developmental perspective, human development can be understood in terms of a
series of stages or milestones that individuals pass through as they mature. These stages are
characterized by specific physical, cognitive, and emotional changes, and are influenced by a variety
of factors, including genetics, nutrition, and social experiences.

The developmental perspective also emphasizes the importance of early experiences in shaping later
development. For example, early childhood experiences with caregivers can influence attachment
patterns, which in turn can affect social and emotional development later in life. Similarly,
experiences during adolescence can shape identity formation and decision-making processes.

The developmental perspective has implications for a wide range of areas, including education,
parenting, and public policy. By understanding the factors that influence development across the
lifespan, researchers and practitioners can develop interventions and strategies to support healthy
development and well-being)

The focus of the developmental perspective is on how human behavior unfolds across the life course,
how people change and stay the same over time. Human development is seen to occur in clearly
defined stages based on a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social processes. Each
new stage involves new tasks and brings changes in social roles and statuses.

1. In Pakistan, children are expected to follow cultural and religious traditions that are passed
down from generation to generation. From a developmental perspective, children go through
different stages of cognitive and moral development that influence their understanding and
acceptance of cultural norms. In this context, children may initially accept these traditions
without questioning them, but as they develop cognitively and morally, they may begin to
question and challenge these norms.

2. In Pakistan, there are limited educational and economic opportunities for girls and women
compared to boys and men. From a developmental perspective, this gender inequality can have
long-term effects on the cognitive and socio-emotional development of girls and women. In this
context, girls may receive limited access to education and job opportunities, which can restrict
their ability to develop their cognitive and socio-emotional skills. As a result, they may be more
likely to experience poverty, limited social mobility, and other negative outcomes later in life.

7. Social Behavioral Perspective: (human behavior is learned as individuals interact with their
environments)
(The social behavioral perspective is a theoretical framework used in psychology and other social
sciences to understand human behavior in social contexts. This perspective emphasizes the ways
in which social factors, such as norms, attitudes, and group dynamics, influence our thoughts,
feelings, and actions.
According to the social behavioral perspective, human behavior is shaped by a combination of
internal factors, such as personality traits and individual values, and external factors, such as
social norms and cultural expectations. These external factors can exert a powerful influence on
our behavior, often in ways that we are not consciously aware of.
The social behavioral perspective also emphasizes the importance of social learning in shaping
behavior. Through observation and interaction with others, individuals can learn new behaviors
and attitudes, and can be influenced by the behaviors and attitudes of those around them.
Social psychology is a field of study that is closely related to the social behavioral perspective.
Social psychologists study a wide range of topics, including conformity, obedience, group
dynamics, and intergroup relations, in order to gain a better understanding of how social factors
influence behavior).
Theories in the social behavioral perspective, sometimes called the social learning perspective,
suggest that human behavior is learned as individuals interact with their environments. There
are disagreements among the different streams of social behavioral theory, however, about the
processes by which behavior is learned.

1. In Pakistan, there is a high prevalence of child labor, especially in the informal sector. From a
social behavioral perspective, child labor can be explained by the interplay of environmental and
social factors that influence individual behavior. In this context, children may be forced to work
due to poverty, lack of access to education, and cultural norms that prioritize family income over
child welfare.

2. In Pakistan, there are widespread gender disparities in access to healthcare, education, and
other resources. From a social behavioral perspective, these gender disparities can be explained
by the influence of social norms and power structures that shape individual behavior and
decision-making. In this context, girls and women may face discrimination and social pressure to
conform to traditional gender roles, which can limit their access to resources and opportunities.
Social behavioral interventions that promote gender equality and challenge gender norms can
help to address these disparities.

8. Humanistic perspective: (freedom of action and search for meaning).

(The humanistic perspective is a theoretical framework used in psychology and other social sciences
to understand the human experience from a positive, growth-oriented perspective. This perspective
emphasizes the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, and views human beings as capable
of making choices and directing their own lives.

According to the humanistic perspective, human beings have a fundamental drive to achieve their
full potential, and to live fulfilling, meaningful lives. This drive is referred to as the "actualizing
tendency," and is seen as a central motivating force in human behavior.

The humanistic perspective also emphasizes the importance of personal growth and self-
actualization. Personal growth refers to the process of developing one's own unique potential, while
self-actualization refers to the realization of that potential. Both personal growth and self-
actualization are seen as essential for human happiness and fulfillment.
Humanistic psychology is a field of study that is closely related to the humanistic perspective.
Humanistic psychologists focus on understanding the subjective experiences of individuals, and on
promoting personal growth and self-actualization through therapeutic interventions)

The humanistic perspective is often called the “third force” of psychology, because it was developed in
reaction to the determinism found in early versions of both the psychodynamic and behavioral (behavior
as externally determined) perspectives. We are using the term humanistic perspective to include
humanistic psychology and existential psychology, both of which emphasize the individual’s freedom of
action and search for meaning. We also extend the term to include the growing movement of positive
psychology and the capabilities approach.

1. In Pakistan, there is a strong emphasis on collectivism and social harmony, which can sometimes
come at the expense of individual needs and desires. From a humanistic perspective, this
emphasis on social harmony can lead to a lack of self-actualization and personal fulfillment for
individuals. In this context, humanistic interventions such as counseling and psychotherapy can
help individuals to explore their own values and beliefs, and to develop a stronger sense of self-
acceptance and self-actualization.

2. In Pakistan, there are many marginalized communities such as the transgender community, who
face discrimination and social exclusion due to their gender identity. From a humanistic
perspective, individuals have an inherent capacity for growth, creativity, and self-actualization,
regardless of their gender identity or social status. In this context, humanistic interventions such
as empowerment programs and community support groups can help marginalized individuals to
develop their sense of self-worth and to realize their full potential as human beings.

HB SECTION (A)
Answers to quizzes from chapter 1 and 9:
Quizzes and their answers for Case-1:
1. In 1988, Bhutan underwent a political change that aimed to preserve the country's
Buddhist traditions and culture. The new policies included the enforcement of the
national language, dress, and cultural norms, which impacted the Nepali ethnic group,
also known as Lhotshampas, who had lived in Bhutan for generations. The new
policies imposed by the government led to the cultural suppression of the Nepali
ethnic group and caused social and economic marginalization. As a result, many Nepali
families were forced to leave their homes and flee to neighboring countries, including
Nepal.
2. The soldiers' intimidation and torture of Nepali villagers were primarily due to the
government's policy of cultural assimilation. The Nepali people, who had their own
language, dress, and cultural practices, were viewed as a threat to the government's
efforts to establish a national identity. The soldiers' actions were a part of the
government's efforts to suppress the Nepali culture and force assimilation. In
Manisha's case, her husband was tortured and killed by the soldiers, which led to her
fleeing Bhutan with her family.
3. Manisha and her family fled Bhutan by crossing the border into India, where they
stayed in a refugee camp for several years. They then received assistance from the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and resettled in the United
States.
4. Manisha's husband chose to live and work in the adjacent Nepali community because
he had previously lived and worked there. He had a job and a home there, and it made
more sense for him to stay there than to move to the refugee camp with his family.
Additionally, he likely hoped that his family would eventually be able to join him
there.
5. The UNHCR representatives provided assistance to the women in the refugee camp by
offering various services, including healthcare, education, and vocational training.
They also helped to reunite families and provide legal assistance to those who needed
it. Additionally, the UNHCR helped refugees resettle in other countries, including the
United States, where Manisha and her family were eventually resettled.

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