The following essay will aim to give a detailed account of the Social Learning Theory, whilst also making a reference to two relevant studies as well as a study depicting the alternative side of the argument. A set of rules based on the socially and culturally shared beliefs of how an individual is meant to behave is known as a norm. Norms dictate behaviour in group settings and more often than not, if an individual deviates from these set norms they may be punished, or in best case scenarios even stimulate a shift in society. Due to the fact that we humans, are social animals, the desire and need to belong is vital, hence giving us a strong reason to confirm to set group norms. Social Learning Theory is a concept which highlights the way humans learn …show more content…
An example of this is easily seen in children, as they observe the actions of their parents and then proceed to repeat them. Social Learning Theory is made up of a series of components, however seemingly the most crucial being the models we imitate. These models are usually presented in the forms of authority figures such as parents, teachers or in other cases peers as well as the media. It is possible for a model to have a direct and indirect effect on the learner, however customarily models do not opt to influence our behaviour. We accumulate knowledge in 3 different ways; through classical conditioning, which deals with our experiences and associations, operant conditioning, directly relates to learning through either punishments or rewards, and lastly observational learning, which focuses on learning through the intake of information. The following essay however, will solely focus on the social learning theory of observational learning; more specifically the way social learning theory has been used to explain the role of violence in the media on aggression in
One example of the “Social Learning Theory” is the Bobo doll experiment conducted by Albert Bandura in 1961. In this experiment children were either exposed to an adult exhibiting aggressive behavior or non-aggressive behavior towards the doll. When it came time for the children to interact with the doll, the children who were exposed to aggressive behavior were more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior (Nolen, n.d.).
Social learning theory was first developed by Robert L. Burgess and Ronald L Akers in 1966 (Social Learning theory, 2016). In 1973, Akers wrote a book entitled Deviant Behaviour: A Social Learning Approach, which discussed Aker’s conception of the social learning theory. He developed social learning theory by extending Sutherland’s theory of differential association (Cochran & Sellers, 2017). Social learning theory is based on the principles of Pavlov’s operant and classical conditioning. Akers believes that crime is like any other social behavior because it is learned through social interaction (Social Learning theory, 2016). Social learning theory states that the probability of an individual committing a crime or engaging in criminal behaviour is increased when they differentially associate with others who commit criminal behavior (Cochran & Sellers, 2017). Social learning theory is classified as a general theory of crime, and has been used to explain many types of criminal behaviour (Social Learning theory, 2016). Furthermore, social learning theory is one of the most tested contemporary theories of crime. There are four fundamental components of social learning theory; differential association, definitions, differential reinforcement and imitation (Social Learning theory,
In today’s society, individuals have a propensity to follow the ideas of others rather than create their own. Our society will not wear any article of clothing that is not in style or approved by their peers are even are scared of what others may say or think about them. Today’s Classrooms are filled with children who are too concerned, or terrified of being wrong and rather choose not to raise their hands in attempts to answer a question or even read a book aloud to the class for fear of someone making fun of them. When a student or two finally muster up the courage necessary to raise their hands in efforts at answering a question, eventually other fellow classmates will begin to follow. This is what Social Learning Theory entails.
Socialization occurs within this perspective, individuals learn the rules of a group, as this theory highlights all members of society has a role to play. Social class is not an issue with this theory although value and ethic’s consensus is essential for effective functioning within society.
Social learning theory can be used to describe why people take goods which are washed upon shore, because if they have observed a person of a similar age or gender to themselves. According to Bandura et al, people are more likely to imitate and copy the behaviour of those which they view as role models as they aspire to be like them. The observed behaviour of people stealing goods that have washed up on the shore will encourage people to imitate this behaviour due to the scavengers being rewarded for their behaviour, because of the cargo which they have gained and can now claim as their own property. The chance that the scavengers will be caught stealing the cargo is comparatively low in contrast to the gain of goods, so consequently this could
I observed the teacher sitting down with a group of students reading a book. As she would read she would have the children repeat what she would say. “Say goodnight to the bird”. This relates to Albert Bandura’s Social Learning theory. This theory claims people learn from one another, via observation, imitation, and modeling.(Berk 2013) The kids are learning by imitating what the teacher is having them say. Later I observed a kid walk over to a small bookshelf and knocked it over. The teacher came over and was visibly upset. She scolded the kid very sternly for this action. This relates to B.F Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning. This is the idea that behavior is determined by its consequences. Whether it be reinforcement or punishments, which make it more or less likely that behavior will happen again.(Berk 2013) Since the adult was stern and made it clear she was disappointed, it lowers the likeliness this child will knock over the bookshelf
Through Social Learning Theory, an individual can be studied based on the behavior acquired by a role model. Verbal conditioning procedures and observation influences the response to an individual’s personality. Environment factors contribute to the Social Learning Theory. Antisocial model is a major contribute to crime, which influences negative characteristics. The Social Leaning Theory has three core social concepts the must be followed: observational learning, intrinsic reinforcement and modeling process.
High crime rates are an ongoing issue through the United States, however the motivation and the cause of crime has yet to be entirely identified. Ronald Akers would say that criminality is a behavior that is learned based on what an individual sees and observes others doing. When an individual commits a crime, he or she is acting on impulse based on actions that they have seen others engage in. Initially during childhood, individuals learn actions and behavior by watching and listening to others, and out of impulse they mimic the behavior that is observed. Theorist Ronald Akers extended Sutherland’s differential association theory with a modern viewpoint known as the social learning theory. The social learning theory states that individuals commit crime through their association with or exposure to others. According to Akers, people learn how to be offenders based on their observations around them and their association with peers. Theorist Akers states that for one, “people can become involved in crime through imitation—that is by modeling criminal conduct. Second, and most significant, Akers contended that definition and imitation are most instrumental in determining initial forays into crime” (Lilly, Cullen, and Ball 2011:57). Although Akers’ theory has been linked to juvenile delinquency in the past, it has also been tested as a possible cause of crime overall. Individuals learn from observation that criminal behavior is justifiable in certain circumstances. In connection with juvenile delinquency and crime, peers and intimate groups have the most effect on individuals when associated with criminal behavior. One is more likely to mimic the behavior of someone who they have close ties with, whether the behavior is justifiable or...
Many psychologists have studied the effect of the media on an individual’s behavior and beliefs about the world. There have been over 1000 studies which confirm the link that violence portrayed through the media can influence the level of aggression in the behavioral patterns of children and adults (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2001). The observed effects include, increased aggressiveness and anti-social behavior towards others, an increased fear of becoming a victim or target of aggressive behavior, becoming less sensitive to violence and victims of violent acts, and concurrently desiring to watch more violence on television and in real-life (A.A.P. 2001). According to John Murray of Kansas State University, there are three main avenues of effects: direct effects, desensitization, and the Mean World Syndrome (Murray, 1995, p. 10). The direct effects of observing violence on television include an increase in an individual’s level of aggressive behavior, and a tendency to develop favorable attitudes and values about using violence to solve conflicts and to get one’s way. As a result of exposure to violence in the media, the audience may become desensitized to violence, pain, and suffering both on television and in the world. The individual may also come to tolerate higher levels of aggression in society, in personal behavior, or in interpersonal interactions. The third effect is known as the Mean World Syndrome, which theorizes that as a result of the amount of violence seen on television and also the context and social perspective portrayed through the media, certain individuals develop a belief that the world is a bad and dangerous place, and begin to fear violence and victimization in real life (A.A.P. 2001).
Akers’ social learning theory’s basic premise is that deviant behavior is learned. The theory has four components. First is definitions, where a person considers his behavior is normal. Definitions can be general or specific. General definitions refers to a person’s religious, moral, and conventional values which is conducive to conforming behavior and decreases the chances of committing deviant behavior. Specific definitions refers to a person orienting himself to an action or series of actions. For example, a person may believe that drinking and driving is wrong so he will follow the laws of the road. However, he may see little wrong in smoking marijuana, and break the law of drug possession and use. The second component is imitation where a person copies other people’s behavior after observing them. The third component is differential reinforcement which is the balance of anticipated punishments and rewards that are consequences of behavior. Differential reinforcements have positive (rewarding outcomes) and negative reinforcements (punishments for bad behavior). Finally, the last component is differential association which basically means the people you hang out with. Differential association has four elements whic...
Successful teachers develop the whole child by making integrated efforts to promote their student’s academic, social and emotional learning. Children need to be aware of themselves and others; make responsible decisions, and be ethical and respectful of the people around them.
B. F. Skinner, the most well-known American Psychologist who was the top exponent of the school of psychology that was known as behaviorism, preserved the impression that learning is an end result of change in evident behavior. The changes in behavior are determined by the way individuals reply to stimuli (events) in the environment. B.F. Skinner defined this phenomenon as operant conditioning. Operant conditioning means changing of behavior by the use of reinforcement which is given after the desired response (McLeod, 2007). This
The purpose of Chapter two is to review literature related to the major variables within the study. Two literature reviews were conducted. The first literature review examined the retention rates and low standardized test scores on Students taking Middle School Math. This follows the purpose of the conceptual framework, the Keller’s ARCS model(1987). Here, there will be literature related to inform the study that is related to the research design, intervention design, and measurement instruments. Lastly there will be a section on the Conceptual Framework.
Behavior and social learning are two theories that are inherently intertwined. Behavior to some extent is taught for social reasons, and social learning can very much shape and create behaviors. While behavior is something intentionally taught, social learning can teach and reinforce many unintentional behaviors, such as dishonesty or aggression. In order to adequately discuss these two interrelated topics, theory exploration is in order.
Therefore as evidence lacks in supporting the desensitisation hypothesis it does not support the debate that the media has an effect on anti-social behaviour, showing that if media does have an influence it is due to another factor or something completely separate to the media. Another explanation of media influence on antisocial behaviour is observation learning. Bandura argues that television can shape the forms that aggressive behaviour takes.