Question

Social Learning Theory and Self Discrepency Theory

Describe each theory concept in detail. How does the theories or new learning connect to your understanding of teh larger learning objectives and competencies in behavorial sciences?

How can I use each theory in the Human Service Field ?

Answer 1

Social learning theory

Social learning theory is the theory where a person learns social behaviour by looking at people and observing people. This would imply that new behaviours can be obtained by a person as they look at people and imitate people. According to the social learning theory, people learn through observations and this is process of learning can be referred to as a cognitive process. Learning can occur by observation or instructions and this may take place even when there are no reinforcements in the process. Rather than direct reinforcements, Learning may occur as a result of observation of reinforcements and this process is called as a process of vicarious reinforcements. When a person watched that a behaviour had been awareded, they would tend to practice that behaviour and when a behaviour is punished, they would tend not carry out that behaviour.

Self discrepancy theory: this is where people tend to carry out comparison of oneself with others, and this is used to make standards of themselves such that these would be termed as self guides. When a person begins to have contradictory thoughts of themselves, this leads to thoughts of discomfort of a person within themselves. The term self discrepancy is the gap that a person has between the various representations of self. According to this theory, people act such that they could reduce this gap between the two representative images of themselves.

Social learning theory has an important connection with social work

People who are in the field of social work, have to face many experiences, in that they have to work in a number of environments and carry out their actions in relation to the environment they are in. Thus, if a person does not adapt to the environment they are in and carry out their work, depending upon the culture where they are, it would be difficult for a worker to develop a connection with the people and help them. And social work doesn’t mean anything until there is development of trust and connection between the people and the worker. Hencdd, social learning is important.