Learn more about social learning theory in social work behaviorism and behavioral theory according to behaviorism all behaviors are acquired through conditioning by adding in a conditioned stimulus before an unconditioned stimulus that leads to an unconditioned response the conditioned stimulus will lead to a new conditioned response. Social learning theory relates to social work because social workers may want to understand how role models affect the behaviors and moods in those they work with social learning theory can also help social workers form intervention strategies that use positive modeling and reinforcement to create new positive behaviors in their clients. Behavioral theory seeks to explain human behavior by analyzing the antecedents and consequences present in the individuals environment and the learned associations he or she has acquired through previous experience this entry describes the various traditions within the behavioral perspective classical conditioning operant conditioning . Social work theories are general explanations that are supported by evidence obtained through the scientific method a theory may explain human behavior for example by describing how humans interact or how humans react to certain stimuli social work practice models describe how social workers can implement theories