BJSW Advance Access originally published online on February 20, 2006
British Journal of Social Work 2007 37(1):73-90; doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcl001
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Reflexivity, its Meanings and Relevance for Social Work: A Critical Review of the Literature
Heather D’Cruz (BSW, MSW, Ph.D.) is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work and BSW and BSW(Hons) Course Co-ordinator at Deakin University. Her research interests include child and family welfare/protection, identity, diversity and inclusivity, and professional power and professional knowledge.
Philip Gillingham (MSW, BA Hons, CQSW) is a Lecturer in Social Work at Deakin University. His research interests include child protection and welfare, men in social work and organizations.
Sebastian Melendez (BSW Hons) is a Social Worker at Bethany Support Services in Geelong, Victoria. His research interests include spirituality and social work.
Correspondence to Philip Gillingham, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia. E-mail: philipg{at}deakin.edu.au
The concept of ‘reflexivity’ has become increasingly significant in social work literature in relation to social work education, theory and practice. However, our reading of the literature indicates that there is a lack of clarity about the concept in terms of who is being exhorted to be ‘reflexive’, when and how. This article addresses these questions through a critical review of social work literature since the 1990s that discusses the concept of ‘reflexivity’. Given that many authors seem to use the concepts of ‘reflexivity’ and ‘(critical) reflection’ interchangeably, we also apply this analysis to ‘reflection’ and ‘critical reflection’. This article raises important questions about how the concepts of ‘reflexivity’, ‘critical reflection’ and ‘reflectivity’ are defined and the different consequences such definitions might have for social work education, theory and practice.
Keywords: reflexivity, critical reflection, reflectivity, social work
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