Evaluating Research Articles – Savvy Essay Writers | savvyessaywriters.net
Evaluating Research Articles – Savvy Essay Writers | savvyessaywriters.net
Assignment: Evaluating Research Articles
For scholars in human services, the ability to analyze and evaluate what you read in research literature is a key skill. Not every study is a good study, making it important to be able to identify and separate a poor study from a quality study that contributes to the body of knowledge in the field. For this Assignment, review the media program “Evaluating Online Resources,” and select two evidence-based research articles from the Walden Library databases that relate to professional collaboration. Consider the quality of the articles, including whether the articles apply to your area of interest.
To complete this Assignment:
Write a 2- to 3- page paper that addresses the following:
Briefly describe the two evidence-based research articles you selected from the Walden Library. Include how each relates to professional collaboration.
Compare the extent to which the research articles apply to the professional collaboration of human services professionals in your particular area of interest.
Explain how you, as a human services professional, might personally use the research articles to inform your practice.
VIDEO: URL: https://youtu.be/h4a5Lt5PiKs-Evaluating Online Resources
Reminder: Proper formatting and APA citations are required. Refer to the Writing Template for Course Papers for additional guidance.
Social Work in Public Health, 26:471–481, 2011
Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 1937-1918 print/1937-190X online
DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2011.591629
Social Learning Theory and Behavioral Therapy: Considering Human Behaviors
within the Social and Cultural Context of Individuals and Families
ANNIE McCULLOUGH CHAVIS
Department of Social Work, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville,
North Carolina, USA
This article examines theoretical thoughts of social learning theory
and behavioral therapy and their influences on human behav-
ior within a social and cultural context. The article utilizes two
case illustrations with applications for consumers. It points out
the abundance of research studies concerning the effectiveness
of social learning theory, and the paucity of research studies re-
garding effectiveness and evidence-based practices with diverse
groups. Providing a social and cultural context in working with
diverse groups with reference to social learning theory adds to the
literature for more cultural considerations in adapting the theory
to women, African Americans, and diverse groups.
KEYWORDS Social learning theory, behavioral therapy, human
behavior, social context, cultural context, environment, effective-
ness, evidence-based practice, African Americans, diverse groups
INTRODUCTION
Social learning theory is one of the most recent approaches to addressing people in need and applying the theory to human problems within a social context. The utilization of the theory as an applicable approach to change human behaviors began in earnest in the 1950s. Its use in the social and behavioral sciences as a mental health intervention grew in popularity in the
Address correspondence to Annie McCullough Chavis, Fayetteville State University, Department of Social Work, 1200 Murchison Road, Fayetteville, NC 28301. E-mail: achavis@
uncfsu.edu
471
472 A. McCullough Chavis
late 1950s as interest in insight-oriented approaches waned. Social learning theory is one of the most influential theories of learning and human develop- ment and is rooted in many of the basic concepts of traditional learning. The theory focuses on learning that occurs within a social context and that people learn from one another (Ormond, 1999); however, the theory adds a social element. It proposes that people can learn new information and behaviors by observing other people. Thus, the use of observational learning, imitation, or modeling explains a wide variety of human behaviors using social learning theory and approach. Behavioral therapy has its roots and basic principles within social learning theory.
Centered on principles of learned behavior that occurs within a social context, behavioral therapy focuses upon the principles of classical con- ditioning developed by Ivan Pavlov and operant conditioning developed by B. F. Skinner. Coady and Lehmann (2008) noted that Pavlov (1927) demonstrated that, through association in time and space, the sound of a bell could have the effect of cueing a dog to produce a biological reaction of salivation-classical conditioning/learning. B. F. Skinner (1953, 1974) docu- mented that when behavior occurs, whatever follows it (the consequences of behavior) can either increase or decrease the frequency, duration, or intensity of the behavior (Coady & Lehmann, 2008). Albert Bandura (1977) added to the development of the therapy by exploring the role of cognition and emphasizing that people learn vicariously. Burman (1997) stated behavior therapy is an approach to psychotherapy based on learning theory that aims to treat psychopathology through techniques designed to reinforce desired and extinguish undesired behaviors. Today, with the thrust for evidence- based practice and measurable results, behavioral therapies are widely used to change general as well as dysfunctional behaviors such as depression, anorexia, chronic distress, substance abuse, anxiety, obesity, phobia, pas- sivity, obsessive behavior, self-mutilating behavior, anger disorders, mental retardation, and alcoholism (Mehr, 2001). The explanation of these behaviors is based largely on culture. Culture is a major factor in explaining and intervening in human behaviors.
Culture shapes human behavior and the social environment. The social environment of today is one of many challenges and warrants the use of evidence-based practices that focus on culture to meet the needs of con- sumers seeking help with problem behaviors. All individuals are social beings and carry within them their cultural experiences that affect all aspects of behavior. This article focuses on two case illustrations and discusses learned behaviors: the usability of social learning theory and behavioral therapies within the social and cultural context. The cultural context refers to the environment and cultural influences but recognizes that society, community, as well as cultural heritage, values, beliefs, thinking, and traditions affect indi- viduals and families (McCullough-Chavis & Waites, 2004). For this article, the social and cultural context includes the culture, community, family, school,
Social Learning Theory and Behavioral Therapy 473
work, and all systems within the social environment of consumers. The article concludes with a discussion of the importance of social learning theory and approaches to usability with individuals from varied cultural backgrounds such as African Americans and women.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Interventions and Effectiveness
Social learning interventions and behavioral approaches to changing human behaviors are among the most studied and reported in the literature. Ac- cording to Mehr and Kanwisher (2007), persons conduct more controlled outcome research on behavioral therapies than on any other psychotherapy due to the use of scientific methods and the ability to measure outcomes us- ing evidence-based practice techniques and instruments. Behavioral therapy points toward the new emphasis in the social sciences on empiricism (ob- servable evidence) in evaluating the outcomes of intervention with children, adults, couples, and families (Mehr & Kanwisher). They stated the surge in the therapy movement toward efficiency, research-supported methods, and evaluation of outcomes, is a credit to behaviorists, and there is evidence that these approaches do change behaviors. Uses of the approaches in systems or settings include public school programs for emotionally handicapped children, residential programs for people who are mentally retarded, resi- dential and outpatient programs for children identified as mentally ill, and juvenile and adult corrections facilities (Mehr & Kanwisher). In many settings and systems, behavioral therapies are the primary approaches employed to change unacceptable learned behavior in children and adults. Therefore, the service delivery environment, with its focus on outcome indicators and evidence-based practice, owes a great debt to behaviorists who remain the most proficient group of practitioners in measuring intervention outcomes (Granvold, 1994).
Behavioral therapies are efficient therapies and several research studies document effectiveness for a wide range of behaviors. Mehr and Kanwisher (2007) postulated that the effectiveness of behavioral approaches seems well documented, particularly for consumers who have behavior problems that use behavioral approaches. Weisz, Hawley, and Doss (2004) statistically examined 236 published randomized trials on treatment for youth (age 3–18 years) spanning the years 1962 through 2002. They found that across various outcome measures, 80% of treated youngsters improved after treatment more than those not treated. Behavioral treatments proved more effective than nonbehavioral treatments regardless of client age. Mehr and Kanwisher re- ported that a major positive feature of behavioral strategies is that a majority of their proponents are thoroughly indoctrinated in the scientific method
474 A. McCullough Chavis
and extremely concerned with proving whether the techniques of behav- ioral therapy work. Therefore, many behavioral studies, and particularly controlled studies, support the claims of significant behavior evaluations, as well as evidence-based practices claims. Prochaska and Norcross (2007) described several meta-analyses conducted on adults, couples, and families concerning the effectiveness of behavioral therapy that produced similar results. For example, in a 1983 study conducted by Norcross and Wogan (cited in Prochaska & Norcross, 2007) behavior therapists reported seeing clients less frequently and for a shorter…
