Social Learning Theory and Developmental Psychology - Research Paper Example

Grusec argues that Sears’ has a limited direct impact on modern developmental conceptualizations. He also adds that Bandura’s influence has waned over the years. Although he concedes that there are differences in the two psychologists’ viewpoints, Grusec also admits that their contribution to social learning theories is very important. In a conclusion, Grusec indicates that understanding social learning theories by Bandura and Sears is useful for comprehending what he terms as complex human functioning (Grusec, 787).

This article can be useful in the field of social psychology today as it can be used by counselors who work with children, adolescents, and adults. Social counselors work with a wide range of people who have different psychological needs. For instance, Bandura’s theory is concerned with how people develop behaviors by observing what other people around them behave. Understanding these theories is crucial as they act as a guide on how counselors should handle their clients. Understanding these theories, especially Bandura’s and Sears’ social learning theories. Social learning theories also enable counselors to account for any external or even internal factors that may influence the behavior of people. The theories also help counselors to hypothesize about the behaviors of different types of clients and how their future behaviors may be affected by the present situation. Social learning theories offer explanations for individual learning processes and how these processes may or may not affect future decision-making (Ewen, 1980).

2. A Social Learning Theory and Moral Disengagement Analysis of Criminal Computer Behavior: An Exploratory Study by Marcus K. Rogers.
This article, which was published in 2001, is 148 pages long. The study presents three hypotheses: “individuals who had engaged in criminal computer activity would have higher levels of differential association and differential reinforcement than the individual who had no criminal activity”, “individuals who had engaged in criminal computer activity would have higher rates of moral disengagement than individuals who had no criminal activity”, and “the combination of the three variables would better predict illicit computer behavior than anyone variable alone” (127). The research involved two phases. In the first phase of the research, the method used included collecting data from 132 convicted and general criminals. For the second phase, the researcher collected information from 36 general criminals and 112 internet participants. Computer Crime Index and Social Learning and Paulus Deception Scales questionnaires were used as research instruments. The results supported the first two variables but did not support the last one (Rogers, 2001).

The purpose of the study was to highlight the psychology of criminal computer behavior in society. The results of the study show that deviant behavior depends more on differential association. Counselors can use this research to help them understand the behaviors of criminals and what drives them to take part in criminal activities. Social learning theory in this case can be used to define the self and personalities so as to understand behaviors. Most people who engage in deviant behavior normally do so because they get some kind of satisfaction out of it. In social learning theory, this is explained by respondent behavior, which has been highlighted in the study done by Rogers. Counselors can consider the respondent behavior of individuals who present deviant behavior so that they can come up with effective ways of helping them (Ewen, 1980).

In both of the articles discussed above, it is clear that counselors need to understand their clients’ behavior before they make any assumptions. Using social learning theories and studies done by different researchers would help greatly in improving how psychologists deal with their clients (Miller and Dollard, 1941). In other words, understanding different concepts of social learning theories does help counselors and other psychologists to carry out their duties without any problem.



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