The logical course of action when given a problem to solve is to first find the
ID: 359127 • Letter: T
Question
The logical course of action when given a problem to solve is to first find the cause of the problem. In human services, multicausality complicates this process. Discuss the core principles of multicausality, and explain how this concept is central to understanding the human service field. Provide an example of how ignoring multicausality might lead to an inadequate strategy of intervention when attempting to manage a specific problem. For example: Prohibition was implemented to curb drinking without an understanding of the complexity of alcohol abuse. Include at least three of the principles of multicausality in your example to highlight your understanding of this concept.
Explanation / Answer
The following are the core principles of multicausality
1. Human beings look for simple solutions to complex problems.
2. Human beings try simple solutions that don't work because the problem has been wrongly analyzed.
3. A lot of factors contribute to every problem and that is why it is called multicausality. There is rarely one simple cause.
4. In social problems, it is impossible to establish causality with any degree of confidence.
5. The problems in society are the result of various personal pressures and social pressures.
Let us take the example of alcohol abuse and prohibition as the solution:-
1. Availability of alcohol is not the only cause of abuse. There is never only one cause for a problem. The other causes could be personal pressures, peer pressures, and advertisements showing alcohol users in a happy mood.
2. Prohibition is a simple solution to a complex problem. We need to first understand why people abuse alcohol and then try to educate them to quit.
3. A lot of effort would be needed to solve this problem of alcohol abuse. There is no simple solution as this problem is complex having multiple dimensions.
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