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Social Diagnosis is the classic in social work literature. In it Miss Richmond first established a technique of social casework. She discusses the nature and uses of social evidence, its tests and their practical application, and summarizes the lessons to be learned from history, science, and the law. While other aids in diagnosis have been added to the caseworker's equipment, the assembling of social evidence is still an important discipline of the profession, to which this volume continues to make a significant contribution. No revision of the book has ever been made nor does any later book take its place.

This is essentially a book about theory building. Instead of actually presenting theory, it suggests and illustrates a particular way in which the social work profession, or any of the other service professions, might pursue the task of developing theory to refine its mode of practice. While written for every professional, it is directed, in particular, to those most actively engaged in the development and refinement of theory for their profession. It is a personal document in the sense that it is a chronicle of the author's reflections about how a profession might pursue most profitably this aspect of its total function.

Social workers tend to regard the exercise of authority as inimical to the values and ethnics of their profession, yet authority is inherent in every social work relationship. This collection of readings brings together the best, published articles bearing on this basic problem which continues to concern social scientists. It contains twenty-six articles and essays examining in depth, and from different points of view, the concept and use of authority. The articles were carefully selected from the voluminous literature on the topic, and are presented here in a form that will be meaningful and interesting to student and field worker alike. The readings are organized into two parts: in the first, an analysis of the concept of authority is made with the help of social and behavioural science literature; in the second, the conceptual understanding is related to social work practice. Among the authors represented are Erich Fromm, Carl J. Friedrich, Chester I. Barnard, Max Weber, Elliot Study, Kurt and Elizabeth de Schweinitz, and Fritz Redl. The collection was designed as a text for students of social work, but it will be of equal benefit to practising social workers, and to others in the humanitarian professions.

Sociology and Social Work: Perspectives and Problems focuses on the relationship between sociology and social work, providing a sociological understanding of the problems social workers face. This book begins with an introduction to sociology and social work, followed by a discussion on the nature of a sociological perspective. The sociological approach to family and kinship, analysis of the community, social stratification, and social deviance are also elaborated. This text emphasizes child rearing, language, and social class, including childhood as a preparation for class membership and changes in the stratification system. The social functions of social work in relation to social control and social change are likewise reviewed. This compilation concludes with a review of the professionalization and organizational context of social work and problems arising from the nature of social work and sociology. This publication is a good reference for students and researchers interested in the perspectives and problems related to sociology and social work.