Diagnoza pozytywna w resocjalizacji : model teoretyczny i metodologiczny

Abstract

This book proposes a theoretical-methodological approach to resocialization diagnosis from a positive perspective. The author presents theoretical assumptions of positive diagnosis in resocialization and creates its methodological model. Her starting point is the belief that a well-conducted diagnostic process, inherently linked with the process of resocialization, belongs to the most important factors which determine the effectiveness of the latter. Her standpoint is that both processes should be carried out within the same theoretical-methodological paradigm; she points out that diagnosis serves as the basis for planning resocialization activities, which are directly tied to its results. Moreover, diagnosis is further developed in the course of resocialization, while methods used are subject to modification during the whole process. In the conceptualisation of the area, scope and object of resocialization diagnosis, the author took into consideration assumptions which follow from: a) the concept of personality as a system of interdependencies, where individual development is treated as an unstable process, influenced by many contradictory internal and external forces; b) the idea of a dynamic “system of attitudes towards the world,” which implies a psychological perspective on the subject of its interest, that is a human being in the process of self-development; c) the concept of resilience, which refers to the processes and mechanisms conducive to a proper (positive) functioning of an individual — despite life’s adversities, risk factors, developmental hazards, and traumatic past experiences; and d) the concept of salutogenesis, which harks back to the transactional theory of stress. This view calls for an interdisciplinary approach to diagnosis in resocialization, which would encompass data from the field of psychology and social pedagogy, developmental psychology and health, special needs education and biosciences. From this perspective the object of resocialization diagnosis are multifarious conditions which determine the process of “shaping” the human being or, more specifically, problems in his or her development throughout the life cycle, including environmental, cultural and personal factors. In the positive approach to resocialization diagnosis proposed by the author, various categories of diagnostic description of an individual are important, such as multidimensionality (various areas of activity), continuity (development throughout the life cycle), orientation of individual development (prosocial, prodevelopmental vs. antisocial, destructive) and, most importantly, necessity to discover individual resources (potential). The proposed approach situates the diagnostic process in the paradigm of positive psychology and positive resocialization, basic to human cognition, which focus on autocreation and creative resocialization, at the same time pointing out the necessity to identify the unique potential of an individual (positive diagnosis). The book comprises two chapters. The first one presents the theoretical assumptions of resocialization diagnosis; the second chapter explains its methodological premises. The models presented by the author (so called complementary approach) assume the priority of positive diagnosis (focused on resources and potential) and a supplementary role of negative diagnosis (focused on deficits and disorders). Chapter One (“Positive and negative diagnosis in resocialization — general theoretical assumptions”) comprises: a) a description of the main approaches in resocialization diagnosis — pathogenic and salutogenic — with their specific ways of explaining adaptive disorders; and b) a description of the major factors and problems in diagnosis for resocialization. On the whole, the author adopts the approach typical of salutogenesis to explain adaptive disorders. She also provides evidence that it is possible to implement the concepts of positive psychology in resocialization diagnosis. She presents resocialization models which refer to resilience and salutogenesis, using them as the theoretical foundation of positive diagnosis in resocialization: the risk model, the well being model and models which support development. As a result, she creates a complementary model of supporting development. In Chapter Two (“Positive and negative diagnosis in resocialization — narrowing down on the theoretical and methodological assumptions), the reader is introduced to the theoretical problems of social maladaptation and to the specific objects of positive and negative diagnosis. The author describes adaptive disorders in the context of basic markers, dimensions and mechanisms of human development on the one hand and developmental disorders on the other, focusing mainly on the cognitive mechanisms of development and psychopathology of developmental disorders (cognitive distortions). She analyses the environmental and sociocultural context of development and demonstrates a risk factor model and a protective factor model. It is against this background that she creates a complementary methodological model of resocialization diagnosis, in which positive diagnosis (salutogenic approach) is treated as primary, and negative diagnosis (pathogenic approach) as supplementary. A discussion of the model of resocialization diagnosis closes with remarks on the markers and characteristic features of a resocialization pedagogue’s ethics of conduct — the teacher acting both as a diagnostician and a tutor who fosters the process of inner transformation of a socially maladapted individual.