Identifying Relevant Theories and Models

Identifying Relevant Theories and Models
Name
Institution
Identifying Relevant Theories and Models
Introduction
Issues related to sexual activities are topics that have gained prominence over the years. Human sexual practice or behavior refers to the manner in which individuals experience, as well as express their sexuality. Sexual activity may also involve behaviors that are aimed at arousing sexual interest of another person or even enhance one’s sex life. In dealing with activities of sexual behavior between individuals, sexual problems such as adultery, lack of interest in sex, and jealousy among others may occur. Various theories can be used to understand sexual behavior and provide a guideline on how to deal with such sexual problems (Carroll, 2015).
Summary of the Problem
Anthony is a 37-year-old man who has been married to Rikki a 34-year-old female for the past 14 years. They have two children, a girl who is 8 years and a 6-year-old boy. Recently, Anthony found emails between his wife and another male that indicated that they were having a sexual affair. This has made Anthony have anxiety and is using alcohol to deal with stress. He constantly experiences headaches, stomach pains, constant crying, poor concentration, and lingering nightmares of his wife having sex with this other man. He has sought intervention from the Church and currently he is looking to find help outside his religious background to deal with the problem of infidelity in his marriage.
Learning Theory
The learning theory can explain sexuality because sexual behaviors can be learned. The culture, family, or environment that one grows in determines sexual behavior and attitudes towards sex. Learning theory, therefore, focuses on environmental factors that determine sexual behavior (Carroll, 2015, p. 26). For instance, if a person grows in a family where polygamy is accepted, this person is most likely to get into a polygamous relationship as an adult. This can explain Anthony’s problem in that he grew in an environment where a wife and husband are supposed to remain faithful to each other. However, his wife Rikki committed adultery, and this causes him to feel anger and anxiety. It is a situation that brings him great pain, and he uses alcohol to numb the pain of betrayal from his wife. In addition, his friends tell him that he should leave his wife because she cheated and that is how other men behave. Anthony learns from this but also gets conflicted because he has grown in a stable family where his mother and father have had a stable relationship always (Carroll, 2015, p. 26).
Through the learning theory, the concept of reward and punishment appears in the learning process. The happenings that motivate the frequency and probability of particular behaviors are known as reinforcements (Carroll, 2015, p. 26). In this case, Anthony does not feel motivated to have positive feelings towards his wife because of the betrayal. They have resulted to shouting at each other, and this could be a way of punishing Rikki for her extramarital affair. This theory also advocates for observational learning or modeling as a technique of acquiring skills and awareness by observing what others are doing. Anthony and Rikki can use observational learning to address the sexual problem that is destroying their marriage. This means that they can learn how other couples who have experienced the same problem handled the problem and the ways they became successful. This kind of learning process can be seen around the neighborhood, in their families, and by attending counseling to understand how other couples addressed such a problem (Carroll, 2015, p. 26).
Social Exchange Theory
The social exchange theory uses the idea of reinforcement to show stability and change that occur in relationships between people. The theory declares that people have the freedom to choose between alternative actions. The idea is that each action offers some rewards and also involves some costs (Carroll, 2015, p. 202). In this case, Anthony has the choice to stay or leave the relationship depending on what makes him happy. However, he has to count the benefits and costs of leaving or remaining in an adulterous relationship. This theory adds that human beings are hedonistic in that people try to maximize rewards while minimizing costs in any actions one takes. In this way, people choose actions that seem to generate profits and avoid those that create losses (Carroll, 2015, p. 202). Anthony can consider such a scenario while making his decision whether to remain with a woman who has cheated or leave her.
Just like the name sounds, this theory sees social relationships as a way of exchanging goods and services between people. People only participate in relationships where there are profitable results. In this way, an individual should judge the desirability of a relationship by matching the profits it offers against the profits one can find in alternative relationships (Carroll, 2015, p. 202). In this scenario, Anthony can choose the benefits of staying with Rikki for companionship, children rearing or leave for alternative benefits such as boosting his self-esteem or partnering with someone whom he trusts. For now, Anthony feels humiliated and betrayed by his spouse and leaving could offer a relief of being free from a dishonest relationship. On the other hand, he could be in love with his wife Rikki and risk losing her together with the children. However, this theory offers him a chanc...