Theories of Social Learning
Types of social learning theories involve a vast area of subject matter, from the psychology of marketing to criminology. However, five noteworthy social theories or components of social learning often addressed are observational learning, social control theory, the anatomy of social control theory, the social contract and conflict criminology.
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Observational Learning
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Observational learning occurs when people take note of the aftereffects of certain behaviors, customs and activities of others. In this way, a person learns by associating certain behaviors with positive or negative outcomes. For example, a child observing another student being punished for talking out of turn may result in that child learning to avoid behaviors ultimately displeasing to both himself and the social structure.
Social Control Theory and Social Learning
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Social control theory involves how socially acceptable (external agenda) social activities, behaviors and personalities are learned and replicated by people. Social learning is a process that occurs through observing the consequences of others and by determining if such behavior is worth replicating. Social control theory seeks to leverage a person's tendency to learn through "observing social events" by manipulating what is to be observed from the learner; resulting in that person's obedience in the larger social structure.
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The Anatomy of Social Control Theory
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Social control theory seeks to direct and guide social learning toward obedience specific to an agenda outside the learner's. Three distinct components facilitating the occurrence of social control are controlling through providing and satisfying needs; controlling by encouraging attachment to the social structure, thus allowing the possible occurrence of feelings of shame to defer disobedient behavior; and implementing an effective reward-punishment ceremony in which all influential participants of the social structure partake.
Social Contract
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According to English philosopher Thomas Hobbes, a social contract is people attempting to coexist peacefully with each other by mutually agreeing to forgo certain natural freedoms, thereby avoiding an otherwise prevailing "war of all against all" living condition. Natural freedoms within the social contract context could be understood by people forging animal kingdom-type tendencies involving persevering one's own existence at the expense of another's. The result is an ever-evolving moral system specific to the needs and collective agenda of all people willingly subjecting themselves to a social contact; otherwise known as peace.
Conflict Criminology
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Conflict criminology involves how social conflict and tension arises as the inequity of two or more groups of people emerges. For example, if people within one group observe through social learning that the needs of another group are being met at the expense of their own, conflict and criminal activity may occur as an attempt to compensate and satisfy the needs of their group.
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