The Robot Social Worker

Abstract

Abels tells a story about Mrs X and the social work computer. She comes to the office asking for aid, gives some information and a few moments later gets a calculation of her benefits entitlement. Shortly afterwards the cheque pops out of a slot. Mrs X has also talked about personal problems, and the computer recommends that she join a group starting the next day. At the same time reports of previous contacts with the client are pouring in from all round the country, with printed copies for any human staff who may be in the office. During the group meeting Mrs X is asked to keep her hand on a plate on the arm of her chair, so that a computer can read and analyse her electrical impulses. And so it goes on, until Mrs X finishes up with a regular cheque, support, satisfaction and a job. When asked how she felt about being counselled by a computer she said: ‘I thought there was a social worker at the other end of that machine typing answers.’ (Abels, 1972, pp. 5–6.)