Social Work Theories Human behavior is very difficult to predict on a consistent basis. The amount of stimuli that the human mind intakes causes an infinite amount of possibilities that the person can choose from. Luckily for professional social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists conducting many experiments have developed certain theories that can explain human behavior. These models are tools that healers and doctors can use to help identify and eventually treat problems that are occurring in society today causing chaos and dysfunction.

The purpose of this essay is to examine two separate theories on human behavior and discuss them in terms of their application to at risk or oppressed populations, which includes nearly every segment of society. This essay will first examine self-determination theory (SDT) as a useful means of explaining human behavior and relate the ideas contained in this theory to the professional practice of social work. The second theory this essay will examine and incorporate into the social work paradigm is attachment theory which will attempt to explain human behavior from a different perspective than SDT.

Self-Determination Theory

Self-determination theory (SDT) is a theory of motivation that attempts to understand human behavior's tendency to accomplish and reach goals. Motivation is a key factor in understanding this theory and the sources that inspire it. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors are placed as polar opposite factors on a continuum that explains behavior. Intrinsic motivation is ideal; people engage in an activity because of internal factors and are therefore likely to sustain the activity for their own reasons. Extrinsic motivation is driven by external forces; it is a less preferred state than intrinsic motivation, but better than a-motivation, which is a complete absence of motivation.

Deci & Ryan (2012) wrote " SDT perhaps as much as, or more than any other theory of social psychology, has been applied to a broad range of life domains and social issues Some of the studies have been longitudinal or cross-sectional field studies, some have been randomized trials and some have been lab experiments, " (p.430). SDT is a useful approach and model for those wishing to understand human behavior because of the simplicity of the motivation scale. When looking at the scale as bipolar it is easy to understand and figure out how motivation, and eventually action and behavior take place.

Relation to Oppressed Populations

Self-determination theory is problematic for melding the social issues of the theory with the individual problems that are expressed in oppressed populations. Ideas such as Affirmative Action confuse the ideas of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. By admitting oppression and inequality within certain demographic groups, autonomy is severely threatened and culture and society begin to take a larger role in human behavior that appears to be necessary.

Oppression in most, if not all instances, is consensual. SDT places the burden of success and being on the individual themselves. In today's oppressed communities there is too much blame and not enough acceptance of responsibility. Motivation for human behavior therefore is distorted and aggressive in many cases because the blame appears to be misplaced.

Social Work Value of SDT

The problem of defining the self also limits this model's effectiveness in social work practices and research.. The idea of the self is very simple but has been taken to new levels of examination and investigation. The "self" needs to be defined by the individual and motivation needs to resonate from within outwards into social settings.

Taylor (2006) gathered information on SDT amongst social workers and found that the theory does have some value in the profession and should be incorporated in certain cases that are applicable. She wrote "self-determination is still considered very important by seasoned social workers, and is thought about even more -- or at least the same-- today as when they were new social workers. While they report being relatively serene when practice situations conflict with self-determination, they have insight into the ways their views about it have changed over the years. Capturing the ways our cardinal values are incorporated into everyday social work practice is an important area for social work research as it has implications for educating future social workers, protecting sensitive practice with clients, and maintaining the practice longevity and vitality of those in the profession."

Attachment Theory

Attachment theory provides a different understanding of personality development and behavior in intimate or close relationships and provides an account of the difference in people's emotional and relationship styles. This theory in its developmental stage, focused on the dynamics and quality of relationships between children and their parents but it has since been expanded to cover the lifespan of the individual making the theory very useful for many different reasons.

Many social work professionals label attachment theory as a psychosocial theory as it explores the area of human experience which is formed by the interaction between the psychological condition of the individual and the social environment. It is worth noting that as with all individual theories, attachment theory does not seek to explain, nor is it able to, cover all dimensions of the complexity of human development and interaction.
Impacts on Oppressed Populations

Since attachment is a human quality and not necessarily a demographic or racial quality, the theory can be used in many if not all explanations of human behavior within traditionally oppressed populations. Attachment may be viewed as consent to the oppression that these groups are claiming to be influenced by. Attachment theory suggests that oppression is a quality that people are attracted to and often run to when stress and anxiety takes over the mental faculties of the psyche.

Social Work Value

Attachment theory can be a useful tool in many applications in social work and healing. Since attachment is connected to all human relationships and therefore all behavior, it identifies a particular quality, that when misused or abused causes much social strife and conflict beginning at the family level. The maternal aspects of this theory cannot be overlooked as nature as provided us with a mandatory attachment to our mothers for survival. This is building block of most relationship problems and can help source the solutions to the problem as well. Flaherty (2011) agreed with this idea when she wrote "secure attachment relationships can lead to favorable outcomes both in the early years and as the child matures into adulthood, and it is an important foundation that should not be overlooked in the clinical setting. While attachment theory certainly has psychological applications, pediatric clinicians in the primary care setting are on the front lines and in a position to identify, assess, and enhance the attachment relationship."

Muellner (2012) wrote "every relationship the child encounters ins affected by their development and attachment history, so making sure we are putting them on the right path is important. The child's brain and life are still malleable and can be influenced byall the choices the adults around them make. Purposeful work between agencies and foster parents will benefit everyone, especially the children who are the center of this story and reason that foster care exists in the first place.

Attachment theory is a well-researched and evidence based area of study that can be effectively used in working with service users across the lifespan. If a well-informed and well-resourced approach is taken, attachment theory can be used by social work practitioners in undertaking assessments, planning, informing interventions and making decisions that can improve the quality of service users lives.

Conclusions

The theories discussed in this essay give a glimpse into the many tools and models that social workers have available to fix the problems that are placed in their path. SDT is useful in some ways but not in others. Attachment theory is practical but needs more refinement to help individuals find their source of problems. Regardless each theory is equipped to help ask the right questions and eventually get the right answers.

References

Bowlby, J.(1969) Attachment and Loss. Volume 1: Attachment; . London: Hogarth Press

Deci, E. & Ryan, R. (2012) . Self-Determination Theory. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=SePipgh2z7kC&oi=fnd&pg=PA416&dq=self+determination+theory&ots=_LntsmLZwT&sig=m9VIj7HAgdzkfac8vhlR6MOBMtE#v=onepage&q=self%20determination%20theory&f=false

Gagne, M.. & Deci, E. (2005). Self-Determination Theory and Work Motivation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26, 331-262, 2005. Retrieved from http://www.langleygroup.com.au/images/Deci-2005-Self-determination-theory-and-work-motivation-.pdf

Flaherty, S. (2011). A Review of Attachment Theory in the Context of Adolescent Parenting. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 2011 Mar-Apr, 25(2): 114-121. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3051370/

Muellner, K. (2012). Connecting Foster Care Services and Training to Attachment Theory. Master of Social Work Clinical Papers, 2012. Retrieved from http://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1063&context=msw_papers

Schriver, J. (2011). Human behavior and the social environment, 5th Ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Talyor, M. (2006). Is Self-Determination Still Important? Journal of Social Work Value & Ethics, Spring 2006. Retrieved from http://www.jswvearchives.com/content/view/29/44/

Payne, M. (2005). Modern social work theory, 3rd Ed. London: Lyceum Books.