Social learning theory approach to practice - Assignment Example

? SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY s affiliation APRIL, 12, Outline: Introduction Theoretical approach to practice. Practices approaches in working with different individuals and groups. References 1.0 Introduction This theory of learning did evolve from the perception or awareness of majority of learning taking place through observations and imitations of other people’s behaviors. It means that individuals can observe activities taking place then later on imitate the same behavior or activity accurately. The person who is being observed is regarded as the model and the process of observation and imitation is called modeling. The concept of social learning theory is to emphasize the role of observation and imitations as a means of learning new behaviors. The social learning theory involves vicarious reinforcement where if the model of behavior is rewarded it is more likely to be imitated, and when it is punished the more likely it will be avoided (Barbara & Newman, 2010). The diagram below shows how certain behaviors are modeled using the socio-learning theory. Environment (Imitation). New behaviors Cognitive factors (Observation). Source: Santrock, J. 2008 life span development, pp.123 One of the assumptions of the theory is that a great deal of learning takes place through observations with the help of reinforcement conditions. Through the theory, individuals are able to develop an understanding of a variety of social consequences of behaviors, thus providing a new pattern of behaviors, expressions and self regulation. It is a learning theory whose main focus is on social context. The theory is then guided by a number of principles: That learning is through observation, the behaviors in the learning process opt to change, and lastly the learning process takes place cognitively. The environment can also shape the behaviors or even reinforce modeling through the behavior itself, third persons, through models, or vicariously. In current situations, learning can happen cognitively with some factors promoting it and these include: attention being a critical factor, learning taking place with performance and a number of expectations need to be set out (Omrod, 1999). The social learning theory is another key point in providing possibilities for the betterment of society, community and groups. In goal setting and modeling, the values of individuals or families is where they learn through observing behaviors, attitudes and consequences of other behaviors. It is through self efficacy that individuals are able to set goals which they are able to fulfill or achieve. Motivation occurs when a standard is arrived at and one feels a self pride of achieving that or accomplishing the acts. The theory does emphasize the benefit of observation and modeling in a number of behaviors, emotional reactions and attitudes. It does explain a number of behaviors of human beings by continuous reciprocal between behavioral, cognitive and environmental influences. It is extensively used in understanding aggression and psychological disorders in particular modifications (Barbara & Newman, 2010). 2.0. Social learning theory approach to practice. The principle of social learning theory is applicable to and operates throughout an individual’s life. The concepts of theory mainly highlights on the relevance of models in guiding behaviors of individuals and others. A number of models can exist; they can be parents, peers, entertainments stars and siblings. During a modeling process, there are a number of necessary conditions that create effective modeling and they include: attention by looking at a number of factors that can reduce or increase it for example, complexity. Secondly it involves retention of what should take place on whatever is learnt; thirdly it needs to be reproduced through a series of observation and image. Lastly, there should be motivation to create a good reason to be imitated. According to the theory, it states that personality does result to interaction between their components which include behavior, environment and psychological processes. The theory holds that behavior is determined by incentives and expectancies of environmental cues, expectancies resulting from consequences of one’s own actions or expectancies that result from one’s competence in performing a particular task while incentive takes part in the process which is the value of a particular object or event towards a particular outcome (Miller, 2005). Bandura (1977) argued that the behavior is experienced by others and also that our behavior is largely governed by the outcomes expected from them. This is based on reciprocal determination where an organism is influenced by the environment which equally influences the environment themselves. It is also based on learned helplessness which means that the feeling we learn has no influence on any given situations. This is because experiences have shown that we cannot control any specific situations, which makes us to generalize any given situations. The application of these in human beings is in institutionalization where people experiences try to lose their individuality and capacity for self direction. It is also based on attribute theory which means if people attribute failure to unstable factors, they are likely to improve their performance. The theory emphasizes larger differences between individuals ability to be morally competent and performing morally. The competence to be morally upright involves ability to perform a moral behavior while moral performance indicates actually how an individual follows one moral idea in any specific situations. The individual, as he or she is growing, must be aware of what is considered wrong or right. But such moral performances are mainly influenced by possible rewards and incentives in a particular way. Moral competitiveness is guided by what the individual knows, is capable of, skills, aware of regulations and rules, and his ability in constructing behaviors (Rotter, 1993). In many countries, the zone of proximal development is used to intervene programs by acting like a rating system used by parents in families to know which content is appropriate for viewing. Another one is locus of control which is an aspect that is used to make students to perform well in education and higher learning institutions where students are encouraged that if they work hard they will have positive outcomes. For example, in schools the teacher says a phrase and expects the children to follow suit (hindered participation) which is also applied through scaffolding where individuals learn some basics of a particular thing they will apply for the rest of their lives. An example is in mathematics where they learn addition and subtraction. It is used in treatment and other anxiety disorders through development of behavioral therapies (Hall, 2010). 2.2. Practices Approaches. The youth learn a lot from observing other people, modeling is needed to shape the new behaviors; it is also a faster mode and efficient way of teaching new behaviors. It becomes the duty of the teachers and parents to try and check that appropriate behaviors are being modeled among the youths. For the youth to seek appropriate behaviors, they need to be exposed to a number of models which help them to tackle a number of stereotypes. The youth should be made to believe in themselves that they are able to perform certain activities or tasks. Self efficiency needs to be groomed in the youth; in line with this, the youth need to be given guidance to set targets that they are able to accomplish with ease. While the youth are being exposed to a number of events and challenges, they need to improve the youth’s behaviors. This is by explaining to the youth to reward themselves in case they have achieved an activity (Watson, 2008). In dealing with criminals and other drug addicts, attribution theory is used to treat the aspect. Individuals and people use the available information to come up with inferences about the cause of that behavior. Therapists would identify factors streaming from within the person or other factors that are external to the person, for example the environment. It may be due to dispositional attribution where behavior may be due to something about them or it may be due to situation attribution where behavior is explained due to the environment or the social world (Arkes, 2011). In studying how youths or members of society have entangled themselves in any form of antisocial deviance for example, crime, drugs or delinquency among the youths, it is necessary to examine the social interactions of individuals with the expected environment. The social learning theory argues and supports that individuals learn to be a deviant by observing others and then acting aggressively to achieve that particular goal or they are rewarded due to the act they have performed. In this theory, the certain criminal behaviors of individuals are due to the human interactions and appropriate environment encouraging such behaviors. In tackling this, the theory seeks a greater potential by identifying and dealing with issues of psychosis qualitatively and quantitatively (Bandura, 1997). In treating moral behaviors, the easiest way to display any kind of development is through a multiple of factors which include cognitive, social and environment. The interaction of the three factors defines what morality is constructed on. These are forces which make individuals to be attracted to a particular behavior, while one needs to practice identification skills which will enable individuals to be directly in touch with the person imitated. Self efficacy is used to predict such behaviors like drug abuse or substance use among the youths. It also identifies the approximate determinants of certain behaviors which cause the use of drugs. The mentally ill can be treated through modeling therapy; it is applied and designed for individuals who have psychological disorders for them to observe someone in dealing with the same issues in a more productive fashion. The ill persons will learn through modeling the other person (Miller, 2005). The ideas about self regulation have been incorporated into therapy techniques known as self control therapies. It has become successful in dealing with problems like smoking, delinquency; drug abuse and study habits. Examples are behavioral charts which involves self observations to keep in touch with one’s own behavior before and after; Environmental planning which is used by giving an individual opportunity to alter the environment surrounding them by removing or avoiding behaviors one associates as bad; Self contracts where one plans to reward himself when a certain target is achieved or is met. These factors are examples of self control therapy (Watson, 2008). The theory is used in health belief model which is used in dealing with the mentally ill disorders and psychological problems resulting from divorces through marriages. The model hypothesizes that health related actions are dependent on simultaneous occurrence of three classes of factors: existence of enough motivation to make a number of health salient issues relevant, secondly is the belief that individuals are susceptive to a number of serious health problems, the belief that a particular health recommendations are beneficial to reduce a particular threat. The contribution to HBM model involves the emphasis on a number of sources of information in acquiring a best laid outcome expectations (Santrock, 2008). In treating delinquency, the basic point in the application of socio learning theory is to be able to prevent or change any deviant behavior to a particular extent where one is able to manipulate one or more learning processes either indirectly or directly through the use of changing the individual or environmental contingencies that infringe on them. It also forms the explicit or implicit basis of group mode of therapies and other self help programs, peer programs or gang interventions, or schools and family programs. The social behaviors principles and other principles of theory are the primary ones in which behavioral programs, techniques, and practice are mainly based on a number of social learning theory aspects are applied cognitively and they include: verbalization, social modeling and variables cognitions (Hall, 2010). In dealing with youths, the theory makes the view that proper identification and reinforcement of proper behavior is enhanced, the youth take part in behavioral therapies where the remedies are based or focused on skill building in a number of key areas like problem solving and self expression sessions. It also helps to deal with delinquency behaviors because it increases positive reinforcement, discipline, supervision to increase other deviant behaviors and peer associations to decline (Rotter, 1993). 3.0. Conclusion The social learning theory has had an enormous impact on therapy and personality theories. The method has become a problem solving approach which is action oriented. Majority of individuals who among are psychologists, academic persons, doctors, lawyers and other behaviorists, have applied and used the method successfully. The method has been used as remedy and therapy in dealing with criminals, youths and divorces in marriages, with practical results to a sustainable solution. The health belief model provides a source of efficacy expectations which provides points used for potentially effective interventions which is directed at behavioral modifications. However, suggestions have been set to expand the model so as to incorporate perceived self efficiency that provides a more powerful approach to the understanding of health related behaviors. The method is appropriate and successful in dealing with behaviors; it has been used to guide and shape students in learning process, taking a number of factors like environment and other cognitive psychological methods in the learning process. The learning theory has also been useful to a number of researchers who have used its concepts in various researches in number of topics and subjects. References Akers, R (2011). Social Learning and Social Structure: A General Theory of Crime and Deviance, New York, Transactive publishers. Bandura, A (1997) Self Efficacy: The Exercise of Control: The Exercise of Control, New York, London, Freeman. Bandura, A (1977). Social Learning Theory, New York, London, General learning press. Barbara, M, Newman, R (2010). Development through Life: A Psychological Approach, New York, London, Cengage publisher. Hall, L. (2010). Principles of Behavior, New York, Appleton Publishers. Miller, K (2005). Health Psychological Problems, New York, Mc Graw hill. Omrod, J (1999). Human Learning: Social Learning Theory, Upper Saddle River, New York, Prentice Hall. Rotter, B. (1993). Social Learning and Clinical Psychology. New York, Prentice hall. Santrock, J. (2008). Approach to \Llife Span Development. New York, London, Mc Graw Hill. Watson, (2008). Behaviourism, New York, London, Norton Publishers. Read More