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Social Sci LibreTexts

Glossary

  • Page ID
    71298
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    Glossary Entries

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    Assessments and Evaluations

    Assessments and evaluations are two ways of determining current status, especially the strengths and weaknesses, of an individual, process, or organization. They may take one of two forms. A formal assessment is often used at the site or by the instructor as a way of determining one’s degree of progress or overall performance at the site. An informal evaluation involves a more qualitative evaluation, such as a discussion or interview.
    Burnout Physical and/or mental fatigue resulting from excessive stress over time. Also known in human services as “compassion fatigue.”
    Code of Ethics A group of principles that guide an individual or organization and their practices. The principles act as guidelines or rules based on the values of an organization or individual that set the limits for such things as how to identify conflict, how to avoid, or how to deal with problems.
    Competence Possessing the skills, knowledge, or abilities necessary to successfully or efficiently form various tasks associated with a discipline or position
    Confidentiality Spoken, written, and behavioral communication practices designed to provide and maintain an individual’s or group’s privacy. Includes licensing and HIPPA requirements.
    Conflict of Interest A relationship or situation where one’s own activities or interests can be advanced at the expense of another who has less power, authority, or resources. Often associated with an imbalance of equity.
    Countertransference A Freudian term used to describe a professional’s unconscious feelings and behaviors aroused by a client, patient, consumer of services, or even a supervisor. Countertransference is natural and may be positive or negative in its tone.
    Cultural Diversity/Multiculturalism The variety of different values, preferences, practices, and behaviors that exist between groups. Multiculturalism is an alternative, more inclusive term.
    Dual Relationship A relationship between a human services worker and another person or group that involves a conflict of interest. Common examples include dating a client, or using a client for the clinician’s own personal or financial gain.
    Emotional “Heat” Shield A personal set of self-care techniques and practices aimed at protecting the individual from stress or negative emotions that is aimed at preserving a sense of well-being
    Ethnocentric A conscious or unconscious belief that one’s own ethnic group or culture is inherently superior to another. An inclination toward viewing others from one’s own cultural or ethnic perspective. Extreme forms include such things believing that one’s own group is better than others and acting on this position, such as in the case of racism.
    Foreshadowing To suggest in advance or beforehand, such as providing a hint, suggestion, or intimation about a future event.
    Human Services Worker A person who is trained to assist others to find appropriate and positive solutions to various life issues and problems. Their academic training varies widely.
    Internship An experientially-oriented course or learning situation aimed at providing students with real-life training and experience in a human service setting. Typically described as a practicum, internship, or service-learning experience.
    Network and Networking The continuous development of a supportive system of sharing information and connections between individuals and groups that share common interests.
    Professionalism Acting in a way the reflects the ethics, standards, and practices associated with a group recognized as providing a particular type of service. Professionalism in human services consists of such things as conforming to the ethical standards of a profession while exhibiting courteous but conscientious behavior in the workplace.
    Self-Monitoring The conscious process by which an individual becomes sensitive to, reflects upon, and analyzes their own behavior and actions with an eye toward improvement.
    Style A particular way of perceiving, understanding, and expressing oneself that is characteristic of a person and the way they either react to or go about dealing with a situation, task, or activity. Everyone has a unique style and each one has a set of related strengths and weaknesses.
    Supervision The process of observing, supporting, or directing what someone does or how something is done by another. May also be seen as a resource, especially in an internship
    Transference A Freudian term used to describe a client’s unconscious positive or negative feelings or behaviors triggered by another, often the therapist or clinician.
    Working Alliance A term used to describe a supportive relationship between two people, usually in a professional setting, that is necessary for a positive outcome. Such a relationship can occur between a worker and a client, a teacher and a student, or a supervisor and a supervisee.
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