Final answer:
A social worker inquiring into a couple's marital history is primarily aiming to understand the development of their present issues, as part of a community psychology and sociological research approach.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a social worker asks many questions about a couple's marital history, they are most likely understanding how the present problem evolved. This approach helps the social worker to recognize patterns and the development of issues within the relationship, which is essential in the field of community psychology and sociological research. Sociologists and social workers often look between the cracks to discover obstacles to meeting basic human needs and are interested in the role of social characteristics in outcomes like psychological well-being, which are influenced by marriage and family dynamics. They use a scientific or interpretive approach to analyze patterns of behavior, environmental influences, and social structures to inform their practice.
Moreover, by understanding the marital history, the social worker can uncover unspoken, unidentified problems, and recognize the strengths in each spouse. This kind of sociological imagination, as C. Wright Mills described, allows professionals to see an individual's behavior in relation to the wider culture and social structure. It's vital that the social worker builds trust with the couple, listens without judgment, and empathizes with their situation, in line with the best practices in community psychology and sociological research.