Abstract
Professional social workers are the primary resource for psychotherapeutic services among the lower status groups in our society. While everyone in the profession knows this, relatively little systematic research and theory has been generated on the question of how to adapt our interventions so as to better serve this clientele.
Bernstein's work on social class and speech codes is examined. His theories are applied to the problem of conducting psychotherapy with a social stratum whose language code is ill-suited for the more “traditional” verbally oriented therapies. Some suggestions for alternative treatment approaches are made.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bell, D.The cultural contradictions of capitalism. New York: Basic Books, 1976.
Bernstein, B. Social class, speech systems and psychotherapy.British Journal of Sociology, 1964,15, 54–64.
Bernstein, B. Elaborated and restricted codes: Their origins and some consequences. In R. Hess et al. (Eds.),Conference on development of cross-national research on the education of children and adolescents. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1964.
Bernstein, B. (Ed.),Class, codes and control, Vol. 1, Theoretical studies towards a sociology of language. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1971.
Bernstein, B. (Ed.)Class, codes and control, Vol. 2, Applied studies towards a sociology of language. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1973.
Brandis, W. & Henderson, D.Social class, language and communication. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications, 1970.
Chessick, R. D.How psychotherapy heals. New York: Science House, 1969.
Frankl, V.Man's search for meaning. New York: Pocket Books, 1963.
Gans, H. J.The urban villagers. New York: The Free Press of Glencoe, 1962.
Hawkins, P. R. Social class, the nominal group and reference. In Basil Bernstein (Ed.),Class codes and control, Vol. 2, Applied studies towards a sociology of language. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1973, pp. 81–92.
Hess, R. D., & Shipman, V. Early experience and the socialization of cognitive modes in children.Child Development, 1965,36, 869–886.
Hollis, F. Casework and social class. In F. J. Turner (Ed.),Differential diagnosis and treatment in social work. New York: The Free Press, 1976, pp. 552–564.
Kohn, M. L.Class and conformity. Homewood, Ill.: Dorsey Press, 1969.
Minuchin, S. et al.Families of the slums. New York: Basic Books, 1967.
Minuchin, S.Families and family therapy Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1974.
Parker, R.The myth of the middle class. New York: Liveright, 1972.
Perlman, H. H. Freud's contribution to social welfare.Social Service Review, 1957,31, 192–202.
Reid, W. & Epstein, L.Task-centered casework. New York: Columbia University Press, 1972.
Schatzman, L. & Strauss, A. Social class and modes of communication.American Journal of Sociology, 1955,60, 329–338.
Sennett, R. & Cobb, J.The hidden injuries of class. New York: Vintage Books, 1972.
Slobin, D. I.Psycholinguistics. Glenview, Ill.: Scott, Foresman, 1972.
Strean, H. S.The social worker as psychotherapist. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1974.
Sundel, M. & Sundel, S. S.Behavior modification in the human services. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1975.
U.S. Bureau of Census.Census of population, subject reports, educational attainment. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1970.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hallum, K.C. Social class and psychotherapy: A sociolinguistic approach. Clin Soc Work J 6, 188–201 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00760154
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00760154