Introduction:

Social Casework is a method of helping people individually through a one-to-

one relationship. It is used by professionally-trained social workers in social work
agencies or organisations to help people with their problems of social functioning.
Problems of social functioning refer to situations concerned with social roles and
their performance.

Behaviour Modification:

Behaviour modification is one of approaches in social casework. The goals of

behaviour modification are congruent with the goals of social work. In fact, the
behavioural approach deals with problems in functioning. On the grounds that if
change is not some how detectable in improved functioning, such change may be
meaningless to the client. The behaviouristic theory viewed problem as essentially
the result of a failure to learn necessary adaptive behaviours or competences
and/or the learning of ineffective and maladaptive behaviours. It may happen due to
conflicting situations that require the individual to make discriminations or decisions
of which, he feels incapable. The behaviouristic theory views the maladjusted
person different from others only in that he has learned faulty coping patterns
which are being maintained by some kind of reinforcement and he has failed to
learn needed competences for coping with the problems of living.

The types of learning leading to problematic behaviour are:

I. Classical Conditioning:

Certain conditions elicit specific responses from living organisms. For

example, there are people who are afraid of some harmless things because in their
minds these things are connected with factors that evoke fear in reality.

II. Instrumental Conditioning:

The central idea here is that, what a person does in a particular situation
brings consequences, which subsequently, set a pattern for his/her behaviour. The
consequence is perceived by the person as a reward for which he/she repeats the
behaviour. For example, A man who tries alcohol for the first time. Alcohol gives him
pleasurable sensations – a little relaxation and elation. Subsequently, the man takes
alcohol just for the associated pleasure and it is likely that he may get habituated to
drinking and later become an alcoholic, as more and more alcohol will be required
to produce the desirable sensations as days pass.

III. Observational Learning:

In this type of learning, the learner is the observer for whom there is model to
copy from a model who has status, power or wealth. Some aspects of the model’s
behaviour are likely to be imitated by the observer who wishes to be like the model.
Children often learn verbal and physical behaviour through their observation of key
adults who figure in their lives.

IV. Contemporary Events:

Contemporary events, most of which relate to environmental facts, can cause

problematic behaviour. For example, stressful situations can give rise to anxiety,
anger or similar feelings, and driven by these feelings some persons behave in
unacceptable ways.

Techniques of Behaviour modification:

 Simple Extinction

 Systematic Desensitization

 Implosive Therapy

 Assertive Therapy

 Aversion Therapy
Simple Extinction:

In this technique, the reinforcement is removed to eliminate or maladaptive

pattern of behaviour. This is especially helpful where maladaptive behaviour is
being reinforced unknowingly by other. Through these techniques, learned
behaviour patterns are made weaker and disappear over time.

Systematic Desensitization:

Systematic desensitization is a technique to deal with a wide variety of

maladaptive emotional behaviours, particularly involving anxiety, irrational fears
and phobias and others forms at dysfunctions. This type of behaviour is being
reinforced by the avoidance of painful situation.

Implosive Therapy:

In this technique, instead of banishing anxiety from the treatment, the social
caseworker attempts to elicit a massive flood, or implosion of anxiety. With
repeated exposed in a safe setting where no harm is felt by the client, the stimulus
loses its strength to elicit anxiety.

Assertive Therapy:

Assertive therapy is used to develop more effective coping mechanism. In

such therapy, the opportunity is given to the client for role playing.
Aversion Therapy:

This technique is used for the modification of undesirable behaviour by the

method of punishment. Punishment may involve either the removal of positive
reinforcements of the use of aversive stimuli. The first formal use of aversion
therapy was made by Kantorovich in 1930 who administered electric shocks to
alcoholics in association with the sight, smell and taste of alcohol. Since then, it is
being used in the treatment of wide range of maladaptive behaviours i.e. drinking,
smoking, drug dependent, gambling and in sexual deviations.

THEORY:

COGNITIVE THEORY:

Cognitive theory believes that an individual’s thinking which is a conscious

process, primarily determines his/her emotions, motives (goals) and behaviour.

Wernelm listed three premises, after applied cognitive theory. That are,

1. When perception changes, there is change in emotions, motives, and

behaviour.

2. When goal changes it results in behaviour change.

3. Perception can be changed by new activities and new kinds of

behaviour.

The theory, thus, believes in reciprocal relationship between perception,

emotions, goals are behaviour. If the worker thinks that the client’s goals are anti-
social or self defeating and destructive, he fulfils the therapeutic task of helping the
client to reorient himself with a different set of goals.

ROLE THEORY:

Role is mainly a behavioural concept. Roles and statuses are interlinked as

roles are associated with given social position.

When there are informal and external difficulties which are beyond the
capacity of an individual, he feels the problem and fails to perform his role. Social
caseworker with such clients suggests new ideas and ways of facing the problem.
He offers facts or generalizations which relate to his own experience for
understanding the problem.

He mediates between other members, attempts to reconcile disagreements,

and relieves tension in conflict situation. His efforts are also directed to keep
communication channels open by encouraging others to participate in the business
of the client.