Final Paper for Class

Social Learning Theory

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Social Learning Theory

Article One (Brauer& Tittle, 2012)

Summary

The article analyzes the social learning theory and human reinforcement learning. Reinforcement learning involves the use of certain stimuli in order to generate certain behaviors in a learner repeatedly. The study investigates the relationship between the social learning theory and reinforcement. Results of the study indicate that social learning theory can be improved by reinforcement. In order to achieve this, stimuli used in reinforcement need to be based on a clear hypothesis related to social learning.

Content, Year and Length of Article

The article analyzes previous studies on both the social learning theory as well as human reinforcement. No primary data is collected for the study. Previous studies covering specific aspects of the key research questions are used to determine whether there is support for the use of reinforcement learning as a way of improving the applicability of the social learning theory.

The article was published in 2012 and is 27 pages long.

Hypothesis

The main hypothesis of the study is that there is a positive relationship between reinforcement learning and the social learning theory. Through the analysis of previous studies on both areas, the study determines that through the direct testing of a reinforcement hypothesis and how this encourages learned behavior, it is possible to improve the impact of the social learning theory.

Research Methods and Design

The article uses previous studies to determine if there is a relationship between the two main variables of the study. The researchers do not carry out experiments using human subjects on any of the research questions for the study. Instead, existing evidence about the two variables from previous research papers are analyzed. Categories of these papers are created based on the research questions.

Results and Conclusions

The article concludes that there is a relationship between social learning and human reinforcement. Results of the study show that several characteristics that are attributed to social learning were demonstrated in human reinforcement. A majority of the research studies examined confirmed that learned behaviors through reinforcement can be used to improve the efficacy of the social learning theory. The paper recommends more research that can be used to identify specific ways of combining the two.

How this Research can be used by Counselors

The findings of the study can be used in the direct treatment of psychological disorders by reinforcing positive behaviors that can improve the speed of treatment for a specific group of patients. When others see these behaviors, they are likely to apply them to their own lives, as explained by the social learning theory.

Article 2 (Reed, et al., 2006)

Summary

The article analyzes the meaning and application of the social learning theory. According to the authors, there is limited understanding of the social learning theory, and its key concepts and outcomes are usually confused with each other. To count eths confusion, the study analyzes the changes that take place as a result of social learning systems and presents an analysis of how this contributes to learning.

Content, Year and Length of Article

The study begins by presenting the misconceptions that people have about the theory. Using secondary evidence, the study shows that most people have a limited understanding of how to effectively apply the theory in different environments. Detailed information on what the theory entails and its applicability in different areas are then presented. The study was published in 2006 and is ten pages long.

Hypothesis

The study aims to identify applicable features of the social learning theory in real learning environments. To achieve this, the authors tackle the common misconceptions that relate to the theory in most areas where it is applied. Among this is the fact that social learning can be an individual activity that is conducted in a social setting. The authors then present a detailed explanation of the theory and its key features that should be taken into consideration when it is being applied.

Research Methods and Design

The study also uses secondary data to investigate key aspects of the theory and the most common misconceptions that are associated with it. Primary data is not collected in answering the research questions. Key misconceptions about the theory are first listed, after which evidence is presented that invalidates them. Accurate features of the theory are then presented and supported by research evidence on the topic.

Results and Conclusion

The study identifies three key features of the social learning theory. This includes a change in understanding that is facilitated by the learning method, secondly, the change must involve a group of people and not a single individual. Lastly, the change must take place through social interactions, and not the independent learning efforts of an individual.

Howthis Research can be used by Counselors

The findings of this study can be used by counselors by applying the theory in light of the three key findings. First of all learning methods used must encourage interactions within a group. These interactions will then lead to a change in behavior. Counseling methods should be designed in a way that encourages changes for everyone in the group.

References

Brauer, J., & Tittle, C. (2012). Social learning theory and human reinforcement. Sociological Spectrum, 32(2), 157 - 177. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jonathan_Brauer/publication/254326896_Social_Learning_Theory_and_Human_Reinforcement/links/5670c8e308ae0d8b0cc0feb7/Social-Learning-Theory-and-Human-Reinforcement.pdf

Reed, M., Evely, S., Cundil, G., Fazey, L., J, G., Lang, A., . . . Stringer, C. (2006). Communities of practice*and*social*learning*systems: the*career*of*a*concept. What is Social Learning? Retrieved from https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/10023/1624/Fazey2010EcologySociety15WhatIsSocialLearning.pdf?sequence=1