Theory Building in Social Work

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.

Gordon Hearn (1914-1979) was an influential theoretician and group worker who introduced general systems theory into social work. He taught and wrote in the field of human relations training at Berkeley and Portland State University.