Social Learning Theory and Addiction

Introduction

• Transition from learning theories of addiction (classical and operant conditioning) to social learning theory.
• Importance of understanding the historical context and development of social learning theory as an evolution of learning theory.
• Focus on key components like self-efficacy and outcome expectancies in understanding addictive behaviors.

Historical Background of Social Learning Theory

• Developed by Albert Bandura.
• Introduced social cognitive model of human behavior.
• Emphasizes the role of cognition and social context in learning.
• Transition from stimulus-response models to cognition and information processing.

Key Concepts of Social Learning Theory

Vicarious Learning

• Learning through observation and modeling.
• Importance of cognition in interpreting observed behavior.
• Influences such as respect or similarity to the person observed.

Experiences and Behavioral Change

• Experiences as indirect factors in behavior change.
• Cognitive processes mediate the impact of experiences.
• Expectations of reinforcement or punishment play a significant role.

Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancies

Self-Efficacy

• Feeling of competence or capability in performing a behavior.
• High self-efficacy can lead to persistence; low can lead to avoidance.

Outcome Expectancies

• If-then beliefs about behaviors and outcomes.
• Types of expectancies include action-outcome and action-action outcome.
• Expectancy value influences behavior based on subjective values.

Response Expectancies

• Expectancies regarding automatic outcomes (e.g., pain, fear).
• Important in the context of addiction, particularly withdrawal symptoms.

Self-Regulation

• Distinction between behavioral self-regulation and social cognitive self-regulation.
• Behaviorists see self-regulation as epiphenomenal; social cognitive theorists emphasize conscious goal setting and appraisal.

Self-Efficacy and Relapse Prevention Model

• Developed by Alan Marlatt and colleagues.
• Includes resistance, harm reduction, pre-action, maintenance, and recovery self-efficacies.
• Important for prevention and treatment of addiction.

Applied Research and Social Learning Theory

Intergenerational Influences

• Alcohol expectancies develop in childhood and influence lifelong behavior.
• Parental drinking motives impact children’s drinking behavior.

Peer Pressure and Social Norms

• Studies on neck nomination and pre-partying to understand risky drinking behaviors.
• Peer pressure influences drinking behaviors in both youth and adults.

Framing and Problem Recognition

• How people perceive their own alcohol use and problem recognition.
• Framing problem drinking as a continuum can increase problem recognition.

Conclusion

• Social learning theory expands on classical learning theories by integrating social and cognitive factors.
• Concepts of self-efficacy and outcome expectancies are crucial to understanding addictive behaviors.
• Applied research demonstrates the theory's relevance in various social contexts such as family influence and peer pressure.