THEORY AND PRACTICE ASSIGNMENT 1
Theory and Practice Assignment
Ashley McGown
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Author Note
Ashley McGown
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to
Ashley McGown
Email:
, THEORY AND PRACTICE ASSIGNMENT 2
Theory and Practice Assignment
Social work is not just about caring. It is also about understanding why people do what
they do. When working with the Rodriguez family, it is important to look under the surface and
think about what led to the situation in the first place. Shulman’s Interactional Theory Model
reminds us that the relationship between the worker and the client matters and that change
happens through empathy, engagement, and honest communication (Shulman, 2016). At the
same time, using an additional theory can help explain the reasoning behind Ms. Rodriguez’s
decisions. This paper will explain Rational Choice Theory and show how it works alongside the
Interactional Model to better understand the family’s situation and guide intervention.
Theory Description
Rational Choice Theory is based on the idea that people make decisions by looking at
their options and thinking about the possible costs and benefits. It started in economics and was
later brought into sociology by scholars like James Coleman and Gary Becker. The basic idea is
straightforward: people attempt to choose what seems best based on the information and
resources available to them at the time. Even if the outcome turns out negative, the decision
usually made sense to them in that moment.
According to this theory, people usually think about what they might lose or gain before
making a decision. Losing a place to live, a steady income, or any sense of stability can have
significant downsides. On the other hand, keeping a job or staying on top of bills may feel like a
more meaningful benefit. This theory also points out that not everyone has the same set of
choices. Poverty, ongoing stress, and a lack of support can limit what someone is likely to be
able to do. Research in child welfare shows that decisions are often shaped by outside pressures
Theory and Practice Assignment
Ashley McGown
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Author Note
Ashley McGown
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to
Ashley McGown
Email:
, THEORY AND PRACTICE ASSIGNMENT 2
Theory and Practice Assignment
Social work is not just about caring. It is also about understanding why people do what
they do. When working with the Rodriguez family, it is important to look under the surface and
think about what led to the situation in the first place. Shulman’s Interactional Theory Model
reminds us that the relationship between the worker and the client matters and that change
happens through empathy, engagement, and honest communication (Shulman, 2016). At the
same time, using an additional theory can help explain the reasoning behind Ms. Rodriguez’s
decisions. This paper will explain Rational Choice Theory and show how it works alongside the
Interactional Model to better understand the family’s situation and guide intervention.
Theory Description
Rational Choice Theory is based on the idea that people make decisions by looking at
their options and thinking about the possible costs and benefits. It started in economics and was
later brought into sociology by scholars like James Coleman and Gary Becker. The basic idea is
straightforward: people attempt to choose what seems best based on the information and
resources available to them at the time. Even if the outcome turns out negative, the decision
usually made sense to them in that moment.
According to this theory, people usually think about what they might lose or gain before
making a decision. Losing a place to live, a steady income, or any sense of stability can have
significant downsides. On the other hand, keeping a job or staying on top of bills may feel like a
more meaningful benefit. This theory also points out that not everyone has the same set of
choices. Poverty, ongoing stress, and a lack of support can limit what someone is likely to be
able to do. Research in child welfare shows that decisions are often shaped by outside pressures
