Theory Analysis Paper
Theoretical Assumptions and Background In the social work practice, professionals often use different theories when working with clients. These theories help social workers understand why their clients are behaving a certain way and how they ended up in the situation that they are in. Theories can also help the social worker decide the most efficient intervention options for those that are seeking help. Two theories that are commonly used in the social work practice are the social-learning theory and the conflict theory. The social-learning theory is useful at the micro-level of social work, meaning that it is practiced directly with a family or an individual client. This theory was first proposed by Albert Bandura …show more content…
The social-learning theory, for example, doesn’t consider how mental illnesses or brain damage can impact an individual’s perception. Therefore, it does not explain all behaviors. It also doesn’t consider how individuals’ views of punishment or rewards may differ from one another. The conflict theory has several limitations as well. It fails to help understand cooperation or altruism. Instead, it focuses on the conflict that arises between social groups and ignores when different people work well with one another. Despite the limitations of these theories, they are still commonly applied and useful in the social work …show more content…
The social-learning theory does not provide a proper explanation of the influence of privilege and oppression. This theory suggests that behavior is learned by observation. However, if a child is raised in a wealthy household it does not necessarily mean that the child will develop similar behaviors as their parents and ultimately live a similar lifestyle in the future. Similarly, if a child is brought up in poverty it does not mean the child will develop behaviors to cause him or her to live in poverty forever. Behavior is influenced by many other things other than observation of another individual’s
Theoretical Assumptions and Background In the social work practice, professionals often use different theories when working with clients. These theories help social workers understand why their clients are behaving a certain way and how they ended up in the situation that they are in. Theories can also help the social worker decide the most efficient intervention options for those that are seeking help. Two theories that are commonly used in the social work practice are the social-learning theory and the conflict theory. The social-learning theory is useful at the micro-level of social work, meaning that it is practiced directly with a family or an individual client. This theory was first proposed by Albert Bandura …show more content…
The social-learning theory, for example, doesn’t consider how mental illnesses or brain damage can impact an individual’s perception. Therefore, it does not explain all behaviors. It also doesn’t consider how individuals’ views of punishment or rewards may differ from one another. The conflict theory has several limitations as well. It fails to help understand cooperation or altruism. Instead, it focuses on the conflict that arises between social groups and ignores when different people work well with one another. Despite the limitations of these theories, they are still commonly applied and useful in the social work …show more content…
The social-learning theory does not provide a proper explanation of the influence of privilege and oppression. This theory suggests that behavior is learned by observation. However, if a child is raised in a wealthy household it does not necessarily mean that the child will develop similar behaviors as their parents and ultimately live a similar lifestyle in the future. Similarly, if a child is brought up in poverty it does not mean the child will develop behaviors to cause him or her to live in poverty forever. Behavior is influenced by many other things other than observation of another individual’s