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Understanding Social Learning Theory and Social Exchange Theory
Sabel Hunt
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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Understanding Social Learning Theory and Social Exchange Theory
Introduction
This paper is to demonstrate the understanding of two theories, social learning theory and
social exchange theory. Social learning theory and social exchange theory are to help understand
and measures behaviors of individuals within a group. The paper is design to describe the major
assumptions of each theory, along with the major concepts and prepositions. Following this
description, this paper will explain the strength and weaknesses found in the social learning and
social exchange theory. Lastly the paper will explain whether the social learning theory and
social exchange theory accounts social privileges; given to a population because of their race,
social status, income levels, and/or education. Lastly the paper is to explain the affects the
theories have upon social privileges and human rights.
Social Learning Theory
Social learning theory is seen to be one of the most effective theories to understand a
person’s behavior. Learning theory is perspective that states that people learn from one another
through observation, modeling, and imitation and influenced by reward of punishment (Zastrow,
2012 & McCullough, 2011). This particular theory focuses on individual group members rather
than an entire group as a whole (Kirst-Ashman, 2010). Social learning theory is composed four
key concepts of learning behavior; differential, imitation, definitions, and differential
reinforcement (Brauer & Tittle, 2012). These key concepts help to understand the behavior of a
person.
First differential association is borrowed from the actual differential association theory.
This concept is a learned response to a previous stimulus (Kirst-Ashman, 2010 & Brauer &
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Tittle, 2012). An example of response conditioning is when an animal hears a can opener or bag
being opened. This brings excitement to the animal because they know from previous
experiences that sound met time to eat.
Secondly imitation, this concept is learning behavior by observing another persons action
(Ford, 2008). Imitation of is an example of the phrase “Monkey see, Monkey Do”. For example,
in a ballet class the instructor is serving has the model and showing the children moves they are
to imitate and practice.
The third type of learning is definitions. Definitions are one’s own orientations, rationalizations,
justifications, excuses, and other attitudes that define the reason for acting more right or wrong
(Ford, 2008). For example, a person is more likely to commit crime when they
associate with criminal patterns and when they learn cognitive definitions favorable to crime.
Ford’s (2008) research indicates that definitions can be favorable or unfavorable. This means
that depending on the problem so people may approve of it more than others. For example, a
teenager who approves substance use is more likely to use drugs than a teenager who is against
substance abuse.
Lastly, differential reinforcement plays a central role in the social learning theory
because; it explains the reason for participation in a certain behavior. This major concept is based
on the rewards or consequences of behavior, whether they are positive reinforcement, negative
reinforcement, or punishment (Zastrow, 2012 & McCullough, 2011). Positive reinforcement is
when a person engages in a positive behavior and they are then rewarded by others and likely to
repeat the behavior over (Zastrow, 2012). For example, when a student receives all A’s on their
report card and the parents reward them, the child will strive to continue to make straight A’s to
receive their reward. Then there’s negative reinforcement, which is the exact opposite of positive
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reinforcement. Negative reinforcement is any stimulus that a person will try to avoid or terminate
if given the opportunity to do so (Zastrow, 2012). Last but not least, punishment. Punishment is
another type of consequence. This key concept is the act of positive reinforcement being
removed from a person’s behavior. Punishment is meant to weakened or decrease the frequency
of a particular behavior (Kirst-Ashman, 2010).
Social Exchange Theory
The social exchange theory is the “interpersonal interactions, which includes both
rewards and costs” (Kirst-Ashman, 2010). This means that individuals enter relationships in
order to maximize our benefits while lowering the cost. Rewards are positive emotions a person
receives when in a relationship (Kirst-Ashman, 2010). However cost is the negative experiences
in relationship do to the lack of making effective choices (Kirst- Ashman, 2010). For example, if
a person asks someone out on a date and they say yes, then the individual has gain a reward and
more likely to ask them out again. An example of cost is taking the chance to ask someone out
and they decline the request then the individual received a punishment and may cause the
individual to refrain from asking someone out in the future.
Social exchange theory elaborates on the individual within the group setting. It also
explains how we feel about a relationship with another person. The relationship includes the
balance between the relationships. The theory includes many assumptions. The first assumption
is that individuals are usually more engaged in the calculations of cost and benefits in the
relationship (Chibucos, Eite, Weis, 2005). The person will receive rewards depending on the
person’s ability to present rewards to the group. If a person isn’t able to give rewards to other
then there is a great chance that they will not receive any.
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The second assumption is that exchanges are interdependent and are regulated by norms
of reciprocity and norms of fairness (Chibucos, Eite, Weis, 2005 & Kirst-Ashman, 2010, &
Colquitt, LePine, Piccolo, Zapata, 2011). This means that when a person gives rewards that
sooner or later they will start receiving them. The last assumption is that the reoccurrence of
exchange will eventually strengthen trust and commitment. This will cause the relationship to
become stable (Kirst-Ashman, 2010). Basically stating that after a period of time the individuals
learn of each other which establishes trust and commitment within a relationship.
Strengths
Social learning theory is a very important theory because it helps understand a person’s
behavior. The theory is able to express many behaviors (McCullough, 2011). One of the strength
of this theory is that it includes many important models of learning. Another strength of the
theory is that it accounts and allows cognitive processes to take place (Kirst-Ashman, 2010).
One of the major strengthens of the social exchange theory is that it helps understand the
cost and rewards of a relationship. Helps individuals understand that if they give something in
relationship than they will receive something in return. It also helps build trust and loyalty in a
relationship (Yanhan, 2012). It also explains how to keep and help sustain relationships. This
particular theory is also applicable to almost every situation. This theory helps to explain many
family issues, such as a failed marriage.
Weaknesses
The social learning theory has few strengths, but it also has weaknesses. Theory doesn’t
take inconsideration of difference in cultures or social context. A criticism of Akers’ theory is
that it ignores the role of opportunity in criminal behavior. It also doesn’t define the actual origin
of the deviant behavior. Lacks to explain how a person learns a certain behavior if no one in their
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group has shown such behavior. Another weakness is reduction. This means that other factors
could affect behavior such as genetics. Social learning relies on subjective perception, which
causes a problem because what some people see as negative others may not. This affects one of
the key concepts, the definitions of learning.
The social exchange theory assumes that the ultimate goal of a relationship is intimacy
when this might not always be the case (Miller, 2005). Another weakness is that the theory is not
testable. Also the theory paints an image that people are individualistic and reward seeking. The
social exchange theory doesn’t touch on the issues of cultural context. This means that not all
cultures are the same and many have different views and beliefs. Therefore this theory only
works within a certain area and/or group.
Affects of Social Learning & Social Exchange Theory with Human Rights
The social learning theory explains an individual’s behavior by learning from their
surroundings. According to most studies, the social exchange theory is used more to explain
deviant behavior and criminal behavior. The theory also concludes from more teenage level
individuals than any other age group. This theory doesn’t hold account to individual differences
of cultural context. Individual differences may be biological, psychological, and these
differences may affect the persons interaction between the individual and the social group their
apart of. Akers’ social learning theory does not take into account to those concepts. The theory
also aggregates individuals in groups, such as families.
However the social exchange theory seems to dehumanize individuals and is based more
upon an economic relationship. Also most social decisions are not only made from individual
choices but also influences by social norms Exchange theory can be observed in almost all social
interactions and has a great influence love, mate selection and sexuality. Also, the theory
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provides stereotypes, blames victim, psychological distance, less poor to individuals whom are
dealing with oppression such as poverty.
Conclusion
It can be seen that the social learning theory and social exchange theory are very
important and can be associated with everyday social interactions. The purpose of this paper was
to provide the reader with an overview of the social learning theory and social exchange theory.
Although these theories provide a great framework for learning upon groups they have their
strengths and weaknesses. Social learning is somewhat affects the social privileges of humans.
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References
Brauer, J. R., & Tittle, C. R. (2012). Social Learning Theory and Human Reinforcement.
Sociological Spectrum, 32(2), 157-177
Chibucos, T. R., Leite, R. W., & Weis, D. L. (2005). Readings in family theory. Sage
Publications, Inc.
Colquitt, J. A., LePine, J. A., Piccolo, R. F., & Zapata, C. P. (2012). Explaining the justiceperformance relationship: Trust as exchange deepener or trust as uncertainty reducer?.
Journal of Applied Psychology, 97(1), p1-15.
Ford, J. A. (2008). SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY AND NONMEDICAL PRESCRIPTION
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Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2010). Human behavior in the macro social environment, an
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Human Behaviors within the Social and Cultural Context of Individuals and Families.
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Miller, Katherine (2005). Communication Theories. New York: McGraw Hill.
Yanhan, Z. (2012). A Review of Social Exchange Relationship. Studies In Sociology Of Science,
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Zastrow, C. H. (2012). The practice of social work a comprehensive worktext. Brooks/Cole Pub
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