Aspects of Creativity in Social Work Cover Image

Kūrybiškumo aspektai socialiniame darbe
Aspects of Creativity in Social Work

Author(s): Jautrė R. Šinkūnienė
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Mykolas Romeris University
Keywords: creativity; creative thinking; motivation

Summary/Abstract: This article raises the following questions: whether social workers need creativity; whether the social workers, who organise socio-cultural activities, have the necessary competences and if they are able to use them; if the necessity of creativity and artistic abilities in social work is properly realized and whether there are good conditions for the development of the later? The objectives of the article is to analyse the view of social workers on creativity in social work, to reveal and compare different ways of creative expression of social workers; to explore what influence creativity has on the personality and quality of the work of the social workers. A partially structured interview method was applied and 10 social workers were interviewed. The empirical study has shown that creative thinking is characteristic of social workers. This kind of thinking is distinguished by the free creation of new ideas, flexibility of theur views, sensitivity to the problems, endurance and patience while reaching for the changes. Most social workers are driven by inner motivation. They can integrate different forms of creativity into their activity. However, there are certain factors which inhibit creativity and which are seen as unsatisfactory working conditions, i.e. the indifference of the managers, lack of support from their colleagues, and the absence of positive feedback.

  • Issue Year: 10/2011
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 63-70
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Lithuanian