Conation: A Missing Link in the Strengths Perspective

Conation is action derived from instinct, purposeful mode of striving, volition. It is a conscious effort to carry out self-determined acts and, as such, may result in the same goal being approached by different individuals through the use of different actions. It is a critical, yet neglected aspect...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social work (New York) 2008-07, Vol.53 (3), p.233-242
Main Authors: Gerdes, Karen E., Stromwall, Layne K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic motivation
Analysis
Assessment
Behavior
Case Studies
Caseworker Approach
Caseworkers
Cognition
Cognitive psychology
Company business management
Conation
conative abilities
Counselor Client Relationship
Desire
Encyclopedias
Goal Orientation
Goals
Grandparents
Humans
Individual Differences
Individual Power
Influence
Instinct
Intention
Kolbe theory
Management
Mind
Models, Theoretical
Motivation
Motivation research
Nuns
Practice
Psychological aspects
Semantics
Social case work
Social Theories
Social Work
Social workers
Strengths perspective
tripartite mind
Volition
Will
Will (Philosophy)
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Summary:Conation is action derived from instinct, purposeful mode of striving, volition. It is a conscious effort to carry out self-determined acts and, as such, may result in the same goal being approached by different individuals through the use of different actions. It is a critical, yet neglected aspect of the “tripartite” human mind, which is composed of cognitive, affective, and conative elements. Because most social workers are not familiar with the concept, client behavior that represents action toward a goal might not be understood or might be misunderstood. A true strengths-based approach to social work requires this understanding. The authors use case studies to describe conation and to demonstrate its applicability. They present examples of how clients' and social workers' conative ability are important to the assessment and intervention process and describe implications for research.
ISSN:0037-8046
1545-6846
DOI:10.1093/sw/53.3.233