Imagine that some of your colleagues mention using cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and reality therapy. Your colleagues continue to say that based on their experiences, they really like these therapies and that they appear to work. Your instincts also tell you that perhaps they might be helpful for your client in your case study. However, from Week 1, you recall that experiences and instincts as sources of knowledge are quite limited because they are biased. Instead, it is important to utilize existing research and data to support your choices of interventions. Theory helps inform the evidence-based practice process that should guide social workers’ practice.
In this Discussion, you examine the research related to a therapy based on cognitive or cognitive behavior theory to determine its effectiveness.
To prepare:
Worksheet: Dissecting a Theory and Its Application to a Case Study
Most theories can be dissected and analyzed. All theories will tell you something about their focus or unit of analysis. A theory will identify its major or key concepts. It will also point to the definition of the problem and its cause. This then guides how the social worker assesses and intervenes, because the theory will also articulate the role of the social worker and how change occurs.
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Basic Assumptions of the Theory Directions: For each section, respond in 2 to 3 sentences to the following prompts. Where relevant, provide citations to support your claims. |
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Name of theory The name of the theory is system theory. It shows the relationship of a whole thing with its components. |
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Name of theorist The theorist is Ludwig Von Bertalanffy. He came up with the theory from 1940 to 1950. He made the first publishment of the approach, which outlined the fundamental laws of the system. |
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What are the major assumptions of the theory? The primary assumption of the system is that complex systems are comprised of subsystems, and the subsystems determine the operation of the complex system. The interaction between the smaller systems makes up the complex system. |
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What are the theory’s key concepts? The critical concept of system theory is that a whole thing does not exist independently, but it summits its parts. It shows a comparative study of smaller systems concerning the other larger systems that are more complex. |
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What is the theory’s focus or unit of analysis? A system theory analyses the perception of seeing phenomena as a whole thing but not the summation of its parts. It focuses on the union and the relationship of these parts to constitute one whole thing. |
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What is the theory’s overall explanation for the cause of problems? System theory explains that a problem brings about the cause of a problem in the whole system in one part or component of the system as the parts. This is because it is the interaction of these small parts or subsystems that result in the existence and well-being of the whole thing. |
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Application to a Case Study <insert the name of the client> Directions: For each section, respond to the following prompts. Where relevant, provide citations to support your claims. |
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In 1 to 2 sentences, how does the theory define the client’s presenting problem? System theory defines the presenting problem of a client, Jake, who is a father to two sons and husband to Sheri by first identifying the problem and its cause in Jake's life system. System theory also defines a client's presenting problem by evaluating the effect of the issue on Jake's past, present, and the possible future. |
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In 1 to 2 sentences, how does the theory explain the cause of the client’s presenting problem? According to system theory, the cause of Jake's problems with the family system is his failures or weaknesses as a part of the system. As a father, he is a crucial component to the other members of the system, and his failure has resulted in problems in the whole system as the parts of the system, Jake, Sheri, and the two sons, must successfully interact with the system to remain in balance. |
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In 1 to 2 sentences, how does the theory explain the social worker's role for this client? System theory explains the role of Jake as a social worker in the military and also as a member in one of the synagogues near his residence. Jake feels more pressured in carrying out social worker because his environment is tough and full of hardships to carry out social work according to the study of his life as a social worker. |
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In 1 to 2 sentences, what does the theory say about how this client will improve or how change will occur? According to system theory, a change can occur in his family system by correcting his weaknesses together with his wife as the core parts of the system. This will reduce the environmental challenges in the family system, and a positive change will occur. |
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Using the theory, list 2 to 3 assessment questions to ask this client to explore the client’s goals and how they will get there. Why does Jake feel psyched to go to work very early in the morning, which can reduce the financial difficulties in the family? Why did he choose to use drugs? What plan does Jake have for the educational progress of his sons, Myles and Levi? Jake can achieve his goals by changing some of his awful lifestyles as part of the family system to facilitate the achievement of family goals. |
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According to the theory, identify 2 to 3 specific practice intervention strategies for the client relative to the presenting problem. For each, explain in 1 sentence how it will help meet the client’s goals. Jake should quit using drugs that have affected his mental health. This will enable him to also get psyched to go to work in the morning and avoid grudges with his wife Sheri. Stopping use of drugs will also solve his problem of emotional changes. |
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Based on the theory, list 2 to 3 outcomes when evaluating whether an intervention is effective. The results of the outcome can match with the projected goals when compared with the intervention made. If the outcomes of the intervention match with the projected results, then the intervention was effective. |
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What is one strength and one limitation in using this theory for this client? The strength of using system theory to solve Jakes problem is that the problem in his family system is noticeable and therefore be easily solved using this theory. The limitation is that, there might be other smaller governing subsystems that are not towards the success of the family system and they are not catered for during intervention and evaluation of the problem using system theory |
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Questions to Consider When Evaluating the Theory You are not required to answer these questions for this assignment. However, these questions could help stimulate thinking whenever you are asked to evaluate a theory. |
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To what extent does the theory apply widely to diverse situations? Or does it apply narrowly to particular situations? |
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Is the theory ethical? Is it consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics? |
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Is the theory congruent with the professional value base of the social work field? |
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How cost-effective would it be to implement interventions based on the theory? |
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To what extent does the theory fit within the organization’s or agency’s philosophy? |
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What do research studies say about how effective the interventions are? |
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