Integrating The Theory Into Professional Practice

In this assignment, we discuss the Integrating The Theory Into Professional Practice the complex human behaviors and societal contexts that affect the lives and issues of their clients are better understood by social workers thanks to theories. A solid understanding of theory aids in directing social workers by giving them a feeling of direction, purpose, and control through the use of theory-based empirical data. Social workers can use theories to explain why people act in certain ways.

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Integrating the Theory into Professional Practice
Nikita Perry
Department of Social Work, Capella University
SWK5005– Human Behavior Social Env 2
Instructor: Elena Felipe
September 1, 2021

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Introduction
Theories help social workers better understand complex human behaviors and social
environments, which influence their clients' lives and problems. A good grasp theory helps guide
social workers by providing them with a sense of direction, purpose, and control by using
research-based scientific evidence in theory. Theories can help social workers explain why
people behave the way they do. According to Watts and Hodgson, (2017), theories help to create
an understanding of how the environment affects clients’ behaviors, guide intervention, and to
assist in the prediction of choosing the correct intervention to apply to a client case. This paper
will provide an overview of the case study of Levi and the multidimensional theory. It will
explain how to use the multidimensional approach to develop the assessment, intervention, and
evaluation, and how it applies to Levi case. A comparison and contrast of the two theories,
Operant Conditioning and Social Learning Theory will explain why the Multidimensional
Theory is the best approach to apply to Levi case.
Multidimensional Theory
The multidimensional family therapy is a comprehensive family and community-based
therapy for clients with drug abuse problems. The model focuses on the relevant social and
emotional needs at different stages in client’s development. It is designed to treat both addictive

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and antisocial behaviors. According to Meneses and Palacio (2005), the multidimensional theory
is recognized as important to the client’s social behavior and recovery from drug abuse.
However, as everyone’s behavior and family situation vary, the multidimensional therapy
recommends flexible programs that can be tailored to the specific needs of both the client and
their family. Multidimensional therapy focuses on what is out of balance in the client’s life and
relationships. The social worker goal is to help the client to create a more harmonious
relationships and controlling their behaviors.
Multidimensional Theory Approach
The multidimensional theory is consistent with social work values.
The multidimensional approach places an emphasis on the constant interaction of the
biological, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of the human behavior (Busemeyer, J. R.,
2018). According to Lundahl and Hull (2014), a multidimensional approach rejects fidelity to
any one theory in favor of taking the strengths of many different theories to provide a more
balanced, holistic approach to understanding. The multidimensional approach is the best way
to address Levi substance abuse which, leads to suicidal thoughts, and social isolation. This
approach can help social workers and clients to understand their addiction. The continuous use
of substances in Levi case can cause the body to compensate for the substances to
counterbalance the effect of the substances. Due to this, it will cause Levi to require more of
the substances to get the equivalent effect which means, he will crave the substance.
Therefore, multidimensional approach is the best theory to apply to Levi case because it
focuses on building commitments and trust, overcoming substance abuse, building healthy
boundaries, and improving your overall day-to-day relationships (Meneses, & Palacio, 2005).
Operant Conditioning

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According to Lundahl and Hull, (2014), operant conditioning is a theory of how people
learn. Through operant conditioning and association is made between a behavior and a
consequence, wheatear negative or positive, for that behavior. Behaviorist Skinner believed
that it was not necessary to look at internal thoughts and motivations to explain client
behaviors. Instead, he suggested, we should look only at the external observable causes of
human behavior (Arifin, Z., & Humaedah, H., 2021). The reward of punishment can be
positive or negative, depending on the nature of the consequences. The five basic processes in
operant conditioning are positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, response cost,
punishment, and extinction. There are also four schedule consequences which are the
following fixed interval, variable interval, fixed ratio, and variable ratio. The operant
conditioning focuses to maintain the same specific number for correct responses and introduce
reinforcement. After a certain number of correct responses then reinforcement is given. Once
the reinforcements are in place, the number of correct responses is needed to warrant the
reinforcement changes. Operant conditioning is something you may immediately recognize in
your own life, whether it is in your approach to teaching your children good behavior or in
training the family dog.
Social Learning
Social learning theory, proposed by Albert Bandura, emphasizes the importance of
observing, modelling, and imitating the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others.
Social learning theory considers how both environmental and cognitive factors interact to
influence human learning and behavior. According to the legacy of Bandura, social learning
theories emphasize the importance of the social context and posit that individuals can learn by
observing others' actions and whether these individuals are positively or negatively reinforced

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when exhibiting aggressive behaviors (Deming & Johnson, 2019). The social learning theory
also identifies four requirements for learning which are the following: observation
(environmental), retention (cognitive), reproduction (cognitive), and motivation (which
includes environmental and cognitive).
Multidimensional, Operant Conditioning, and Social Learning Theory Comparison and
Contrast
Comparison: The multidimensional theory, operant conditioning and social learning
theory all focuses on understanding client’s lifespan development, childhood, emotional states,
and trauma experiences.
Contrast: The operant conditioning is a method of learning that rewards and punished
for behavior, Operant conditioning is association is made between a behavior and a
consequence. The social theory suggest that social behavior is learned by observing and
imitating the behavior others. Social theory explains that individuals can learn behaviors
through observation. The multidimensional theory focuses on the cognitive, emotional, and
social dimensions to learning.
Multidimensional Theory: Assessment, Intervention, and Evaluation
A comprehensive, multidimensional assessment process involves identifying risk and
protective factors in all relevant areas and then targeting specific areas for change. Information
about functioning in each target area comes through individual and family interviews,
observations of both spontaneous and directed family interactions, and observation of family
member interactions with influential others outside of the family. The approach has four target
areas: (1) adolescent, (2) parent, (3) family interaction, and (4) extrafamilial social systems
(Busemeyer & Wang, 2018). Levi is currently dealing with several issues at the same time, his

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addiction, dealing with HIV, a long-term relationship ending, no social interactions that is
causing anti-social behavior. Due to dealing with several issues at the same time the
multidimensional approach will be the best theory to apply in this case. According to Lundahl
and Hull (2014), a multidimensional approach rejects fidelity to any one theory in favor of
taking the strengths of many different theories to provide a more balanced, holistic approach to
understanding. Most social workers in micro clinical practice identify themselves as being
“eclectic” or “integrative,” which is a form of multidimensionalism.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the multidimensional theory is effective for Levi’s case due to
substance abuse, social isolation, health problems, and emotional instability. Multidimensional
theory reduces family conflict, increases family cohesion, and improves clients cognitive
thinking. This therapy approach has been recognized over 30 years by science and researchers as
an effective intervention therapy for individuals and families. The multidimensional theory is
also cost effective and affordable for individuals and families (Liddle, H. A., et.al.,2009). The
treatment outcomes from multidimensional theory are among the best therapy that has been
offered to individuals and families which, has been successful.

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References
Arifin, Z., & Humaedah, H. (2021). Application of Theory Operant Conditioning BF Skinner's
in PAI Learning. Journal of Contemporary Islamic Education, 1(2), 101-110.
Busemeyer, J. R., & Wang, Z. (2018). Hilbert space multidimensional theory. Psychological
Review, 125 (4), 572-591. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000106.
Deming, P., & Johnson, L. L. (2019). An application of Bandura’s social learning theory: A
new approach to deafblind support groups. JADARA, 42(4), 5.
Liddle, H. A., Rowe, C. L., Dakof, G. A., Henderson, C. E., & Greenbaum, P. E. (2009).
Multidimensional family therapy for young adolescent substance abuse: Twelve-month
outcomes of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of consulting and clinical
psychology, 77(1), 12.
Lundahl, B. W., & Hull, G. (2014). Applied Human Behavior in the Social Environment. Pearson
Education (US).

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Meneses, G. D., & Palacio, A. B. (2005). Recycling behavior: a multidimensional
approach. Environment and Behavior, 37(6), 837-860.
Watts, L., Hodgson, D. (2017). Key Concepts and Theory in Social Work. United
Kingdom: Macmillan Education UK.