Social Learning Theory

Observational learning and cognitive variables help explain human behavior and can be utilized in a wide variety of areas. The Social Learning Theory (SLT) suggests that individuals learn a considerable amount of their behavior by observation and imitation of others (Powell, Honey, & Symbaluk 2017. It can be used to produce distinct interventions and treatments for those in need. A review of a variety of studies in aggression, stalking, business, and simulations investigate distinct ways to make use of the many components of the SLT. It was concluded that the SLT is diverse, it allows the creation of different treatments that help individuals in numerous areas.

Beginning in the 1950’s, theorists began to shift learning theory’s focus from animals to social learning. The focus was to examine patterns of behavior by humans acting in a social world, and evaluate the cognitive structures that people use to interpret events. Social learning theory combines social learning and the study of cognition. The key concepts of Social Learning theory are: personality is influenced because of the individual’s interactions with the social environment, and people influence their own development through interactions with the environment. The theory uses a social-cognitive approach that is used by scientists and researchers.

Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory describes the process through which people acquire new info, forms of behavior, or attitudes from others firsthand or vicariously. The likelihood of a behavior presenting itself will rely on the amount of reinforcement it receives and the value that the individual associates to it. While some behavior may be rewarded, others may produce unfavorable responses. An individual will learn from the consequences of these actions and when a similar situation arises, they will alter their behavior according to what was most successful in the past.

Social learning theory, developed by Bandura, discusses how people learn from one another through observation, modeling, and imitation bridging an individual’s attention, memory and motivation. Social learning theory identifies the importance of cognition, observable behavior, individual self-efficacy, and the extent of how the events surrounding an individual affect them; their locus of control. Social learning theory also looks at individual problem behavior being influenced by positive or negative reinforcement (Ashford & LeCroy, 2012).

Is the constant bombardment of violent and explicit sexual images in media desensitizing our society? By frequently watching sex or violence in media, content may start to lose its shock value to viewers over time. Once these images lose their thrill, new technologies are created to regain society’s interest. For example, current virtual technology allows for users to step into the action and become the main character. The line between reality and fantasy is becoming blurred.

Trying to understand why crime happens if a very important concept. Throughout history, criminologist have debated on which theory of crime is most accurate. Currently, social bond and social learning theory are two of the leading theories in the criminological world. Between these two theories there are a variety of differences and similarities. In addition to these theories Gottfredson and Hirschi have published a book where they use the concept of self control to describe crime. Analyzing these three theories can be important to understanding the current criminological world.

By the age of 18, the average American television viewer has witnessed over 32,000 murders and 40,000 attempted murders on television alone (American Psychological Association). These statistics do not include such violence seen in movies or heard in music. To witness such an amount of violence is clearly unrealistic and exploitative. Violence is being used by television programs as a superficial way of grabbing and holding an audience's attention. Producers of television programs that show violence must take the responsibility of showing a realistic amount of violence on their shows. That is, they must not use gratuitous violence to appeal to male viewers, or else the violent crime rate in the United States will rise.

The social learning theory in criminology states that people learn by observing others, then attempt to replicate those behaviors they observed. These behaviors are learned through three different ways according to the social learning theory. The first says that people learn by observing others behaviors, and the rewards they receive by doing them. The second says that people learn from observing others behaviors and the punishment that follows. The third way says that people learn by observing others and receive no consequences for their actions. This paper will attempt to show the pros and cons of social learning theory in criminology, and how it relates to statistical data.

There have been three suggested theories to explain our acquired patterns of behaviors or learning, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning. (Robbins and Judge, 2009, p. 55) This discussion will look at operant conditioning its extension social learning, and how it pertains to a covenantal framework. Using a personal example I am able to show how the integration of learning and covenantal thinking leads to the success of an organization.

In this essay, I will try to evaluate Social learning theory as originated by Albert Bandura. I am going to use three pieces of evidence, in a form of case studies, which have been done previously to support or contradict Bandura’s theory. I will demonstrate my knowledge of these studies throughout their analysis, trying to highlight their strengths and limitations.

Akers and Sellers (2013) has stated that social learning theory is an expanded theory of differential association processes and improves it with differential reinforcement and other principles of the behavior theory. They added classical conditioning (the sharpening of involuntary reflex behavior); discriminative stimuli (internal stimuli that lead to signals for behavior); schedules of reinforcement (rewards and punishment ratio following behavioral feedback); and other theories of behavior (Akers & Sellers, 2013).

For this task I interviewed my Mom. First, she described the “bittersweet” feeling of watching me seemingly grow up so fast with my attempts at communicating with her and my Dad through baby talk. Me trying to talk as a baby demonstrates the social learning theory, which states that people learn through the observations of those around them. Part of the way I learned how to speak and how other babies learned to speak as well was through trying to imitate the speech of those around them, especially of the parent(s) or guardian(s). Next, my Mom recounted the countless times she would have to get up in the middle of the night to soothe my crying. For babies in general, the act of crying represents an example of cognitive behavior. A cognitive

I think that learning this learning theory best explains the relationship between motivation and learning is social learning. Whatever qualities interaction with others may have, there is no question but that such interaction possesses all the qualities that Berlyne has characterized as collative and that it is a never ending source of surprise, ambiguity, and complexity. It may be that it is these collative qualities that lead children to seek interaction with others. Children are always attracted to each other for functional reasons, in the sense that they need the help and protection of others in order to cope with their environment. they are attracted to others at times when they have no need of help and they also seek the company of individuals

Nursing theory plays an instrumental role in conducting nursing research. It aids in conducting and reaching the goals of a study in addition to providing guidance and direction (Bredow, 2009). To determine which theory to use for a defined project the researcher should evaluate the theory for appropriateness by conducting a systematic assessment. There is not an established standard use to appraise a theory, but it should describe, explain, predict, or prescribe. Some question to consider are, is the theory operational, how has the theory been applied in the past, has the theory described, predicted or explained phenomena when previously used, and does it speak to the studies question; these are just a few questions to think about (Bredow,

With that being said, it is still possible to create a sociocultural goal to act as a standard to compare with media policies. Many of these standards are already incorporated into the language of American policies. For example, violence, sexual, profane, and dangerous substance contents are used as a standard in most of the industries’ regulatory systems. Typically these standards are a reflection of risky or illegal behavior that could be modeled by the audience. For the purpose of this article, a look at two of these common standards will be evaluated in two parts. First, an evaluation of the media content’s relationship to influence the audience to conduct in a risky behavior will be reviewed, and second it’s prevalence in the current media landscape will be mentioned. For the sake of relevance towards the legality of the situation, this article will look at the content of violent and sexual content in media. While many other standards can and need to be discussed, these two are the most prevalent in the current media and political conversation. How does Violence Play in Children Media?