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Running Head: THEORIES PAPER 1 Understanding Social Learning Theory and Social Exchange Theory Sabel Hunt University of North Carolina at Pembroke THEORIES PAPER 2 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 & THEORIES PAPER 3 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 THEORIES PAPER 4 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. THEORIES PAPER 5 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 THEORIES PAPER 6 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 THEORIES PAPER 7 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. THEORIES PAPER 8 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 DRUG USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS. Sociological Spectrum, 28(3), 299-316 Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2010). Human behavior in the macro social environment, an empowerment approach to understanding communities, organizations, and groups. Brooks/Cole Pub Co. McCullough Chavis, A. (2011). Social Learning Theory and Behavioral Therapy: Considering Human Behaviors within the Social and Cultural Context of Individuals and Families. Social Work In Public Health, 26(5 Miller, Katherine (2005). Communication Theories. New York: McGraw Hill. Yanhan, Z. (2012). A Review of Social Exchange Relationship. Studies In Sociology Of Science, 3(3), 57-61. Zastrow, C. H. (2012). The practice of social work a comprehensive worktext. Brooks/Cole Pub Co.