[Human relations].

Abstract

TAST year, at the Family Social Work L Dinner at Atlantic City, Dr. Mark May presented an excellent and stimulating discussion of " Is There a Science of Human Relations?" and expressed his feeling that family case work offers a potential clinical laboratory for research in this field.' This year I have been asked to carry forward this challenge from Dr. May, and it has been suggested that I consider with you these questions, illustrating them from concrete case material and problems: Do we accept the fact that social case work has potentiality as a clinical laboratory in human relations? What are we doing currently that would give us the right to feel that we have mads some progress in realizingthis potentiality? What more do we need to do in the way of research, evaluation, or clarification in order to make this potentiality a reality? To begin with, it might be helpful to distinguish between "scientific" in the sense of original research for the purpose of contributing new knowledge, and "scientific" in the sense of the utilization in case work of scientific knowledge as background, foundation, framework. We are all familiar with the latter use of scientific data, and I need only mention the varied range of basic sciences that enrich our understanding and skill. Chemistry-the discovery of calories and the practical application of these data in diets and household management-is so widespread and generally accepted now that we have almost forgotten the thrilling days when these discoveries opened up new and adventurous possibilities of more sound and precise bases for educating the housewife in the selection and preparation of food for her family. The use of medical knowledge is likewise an old story with us. A more recent addition stems from the alluring advances in endocrinology, which in its interrelations between bio-chemistry and psychic