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Telling My Story Social Learning Theory in Adolescence
Telling My Story: Social Learning Theory in Adolescence
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Introduction
Adolescence is a critical stage in life marked by several major developmental milestones and experiences. Adolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood where a person goes through a lot of self-discovery and begin to develop a strong sense of who they are and who they want to become. During adolescence, young people tend to rely a lot on their peers and friends for their opinions, actions and decisions. For example, many adolescents tend to copy their friend’s dressing style, ideas, hobbies, and many more. Although this peer influence may be positive and harmless, some peer interactions could lead to adolescents developing negative and harmful behaviour. A perfect example of this is smoking cigarettes, marijuana and experimenting with alcohol due to peer pressure. The social learning theory best explains the influence of peers in shaping adolescents’ thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
What: Social learning theory
The social learning theory was initially used to explain crime and other deviant behaviour, but it is quite helpful in explaining external influences on one’s beliefs, thoughts and actions. The theory is not just about negative behaviour; it also explains positive ones. The social learning theory was proposed by Alex Bandura. One of the main ideas in Bandura’s theory is observational learning, which he demonstrated using the Bobo doll experiment. The social learning theory proposes that children’s behaviours, emotions and attitudes reflect those of people around them through imitation, observation and modelling (Rumjaun & Narod, 2020). Reinforcement is a crucial part of social learning theory as it rewards or punishes certain behaviours. The social learning theory applies to adolescents perfectly as it explains the strong influence that peers have on them.
Adolescents are quite similar to children in the context of the social learning theory. Children mainly use their parents, guardians, teachers and other adults around them as models for their behaviour. As they grow into their teen years, the major source of influence begins to shift towards their peers. It is common to find adolescents feeling embarrassed about their parents and guardians’ actions and choices that affect them. They want to be seen as ‘cool’ among their peers, and they often rebel against their parents. For example, they resist their guardians’ choices of clothes as old-fashioned and complain about their parents being too strict.
The social learning theory is especially important in explaining deviant behaviour in adolescents. Some of the common rebellious and deviant behaviours that adolescents engage in include experimenting with alcohol, substance use, and sexual activity. John P. Hoffman conducted a study on how social learning theory can be used to predict nicotine vaping among adolescents. The study involved 11,624 adolescents drawn from the 8th and 10th grades. It was found that the highest predictor of vaping is friends’ substance use (Hoffman, 2021). This study proves that adolescents’ behaviour is easily explained using the social learning theory, where friends and peers are the models for teen behaviour.
So What: Importance of the Topic
The topic of social learning theory is essential to people around adolescents, such as their families, teachers and communities. The approach will help these groups of people understand how adolescents behave the way they do and how they can promote positive influences around them. This topic is vital for me as I have interacted with many teenagers who have developed negative behaviours and attitudes from their peer groups. In future, I plan to work with such adolescents as a social worker; therefore, I want to learn as much as possible about the topic. Additionally, I want to advise families dealing with deviant adolescents about the causes of their behaviour and how to support them in getting back to the right path.
Implications for Individuals and Families
The social learning theory is essential to families as they find it hard to deal with their children during adolescence. At this time, parents and guardians may not understand why their previously bubbly and engaging child has turned into a sulky and irritable teenager. All they want to do is hang out with their friends online and in-person. Parents may struggle with addressing rebellious behaviour such as refusal to spend time with family members, age-inappropriate dressing and style, rudeness and dismissiveness towards family members. The social learning theory will help families understand that adolescents most likely ape such attitudes and behaviour from their peer groups (Telzer et al. 2018) due to naiveté and that they have no solid belief systems.
Social learning theory in adolescence has significant social, emotional, financial and educational impacts on families and individuals. On the emotional front, parents and guardians may struggle with deviant or rebellious behaviour among their adolescents. They may ask themselves if such abnormal behaviour in their children is their fault, which is a burden on them. Social learning theory allows parents to know that their teen’s behaviour is probably influenced by external factors such as their peers and friends. Understanding this will help family members stop blaming themselves for any deviance or rebellion.
Educationally, the social learning theory will help families educate their children on the strong influence of their peers and how they can take advantage of this by choosing positive models. Spending time with other focused, responsible, and socially conscious adolescents will lead to them copying such values. Teens should therefore choose their company wisely depending on who they want to become. Socially, the social learning theory also affects the interaction between individuals and families. When one family feels that a specific individual negatively influences their child, the child might be banned from interacting with them. This creates tension between families and individuals. A group of adolescents identified as negative influences on others in a community will be shunned with adverse effects. An example of this is that adolescents will be even more drawn to those they are told to avoid in an attempt to be rebellious.
Families will face negative consequences if the topic of social learning theory is not addressed. One of these is that families will have many fights with their adolescent children to get them in check. Parents and guardians may forbid their children from spending time with their friends whom they deem negative influences. Such an action will only provoke more rebellion from the adolescents. Rather than take this aggressive approach, the social learning theory will help parents find a middle ground. For example, parents and guardians may ask their children to bring their friends home so that they know who their children spend time with. This promotes trust and openness. Another negative effect of not knowing about the social learning theory is that adolescents will not understand the strong influence their peers on them.
Strategies for advocacy and action
After learning about the central importance of the social learning theory in adolescents’ development, there are multiple ways to make a difference. One way is to encourage peer education among adolescents. Because adolescents spend a lot of time either in school or with their school friends, peer education would be particularly successful. To do this, a few students from each grade would be taught about the social learning theory and how it affects adolescents. After this, these students would hold informal sessions with their classmates and friends about the kind of person they want to be and the behaviour they would like others to copy from them. Increasing awareness among adolescents would help them make conscious choices about the behaviour they copy from others and what they want others to copy from them.
Observational learning is a central part of the social learning theory; therefore, adults around adolescents should do their best to become good role models for their children. For example, parents who drink, smoke or curse a lot at home create the idea that such behaviour is acceptable, and adolescents are likely to copy this behaviour. Parents should practice what they preach by interacting respectfully with their teens, modelling the kind of thoughts, behaviours and attitudes they would like to see in their children.
Third, there are many organizations that can help adolescents be more aware of their behaviour regarding peers and teach parents and guardians how to influence their children’s behaviour positively. Getting in touch with such organizations will help shape the attitudes and belief systems of teens. One such organization is the ‘Staying Connected with Your Teen’ program. The federal program helps parents address substance abuse problems with adolescents based on the social learning theory. The program emphasizes the importance of rewarding adolescents for interaction and engagement with positive peers (Youth.gov., 2021). Parents influence the positive development of their adolescent children by enforcing consequences for behaviour and being present in their children’s lives.
Conclusion
In summary, the social learning theory is an integral part of adolescent development. Adolescents learn a lot from their environments, such as friends, family and other adults around them. With this knowledge in mind, we must all do our part in moulding these young people to become responsible adults in society. The best way to create a better tomorrow is to become a good role model for future generations so that they can develop the right attitudes, thoughts and belief system to guide them.
References
Hoffmann, J. P. (2021). Social Learning, Social Bonds, Self-Control and Adolescent Nicotine Vaping. Substance Use & Misuse, 1-12
Rumjaun, A., & Narod, F. (2020). Social Learning Theory—Albert Bandura. In Science Education in Theory and Practice (pp. 85-99). Springer, Cham.
Telzer, E. H., Van Hoorn, J., Rogers, C. R., & Do, K. T. (2018). Social influence on positive youth development: a developmental neuroscience perspective. Advances in child development and behaviour, 54, 215-258.
Youth.gov. (2021). “Staying Connected with Your Teen.” https://youth.gov/content/staying-connected-your-teen
Teleworking in the Modern World
Teleworking in the Modern World
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Factors to Consider When Incorporating Teleworking in an Organization
Teleworking is a flexible program that allows employees to be flexible and work from anywhere, including their homes and at their desired hours beside the official office hours. As a member of the human resource in an organization, I support teleworking because it motivates employees to tap into their full potential, increasing their productivity and improving the overall performance of an organization. Before embracing this arrangement, there are essential factors and processes that I should put into consideration to ensure the company achieves the best outcomes from the employees.
The level of security needed in the organization is a significant factor that should be considered. Employees need to safeguard an organization’s information to prevent it from landing in the wrong hands, like competitors or individuals with malicious intentions (De Vries et al., 2019). Working outside the office is quite risky because devices used to facilitate operations can be tracked and hacked hence threatening the safety of organization data. Another factor is the availability of software and office equipment in remote areas that meets the organization’s standards. As an HR member, I would consider the comfortability and concentration of employees in their remote working spaces.
Teleworking heightened during the Covid-19 pandemic because of the restricted movement policy implemented by the government to reduce the spread of the highly contagious virus and keep the people safe. Many employees were forced to work from home since they could not access the office or mingle with other employees (Belzunegui-Eraso & Erro-Garcés, 2020). One positive aspect that came from it was people could keep safe, and the spread of the virus decreased immensely. Additionally, teleworking increases employees’ productivity and reduces the stress of supervision on employers (Groen et al., 2018). Employees record impressive results in their portfolios because they work in a safe, friendly, and comfortable zone.
Before implementing the telework arrangement, I would first talk with the employees and the management about it and listen to their ideas and opinions. What they say is essential because the arrangement affects them directly. Then I would check the cost of adopting this program and compare it with the resources available to facilitate it. If they balance out correctly, I will lay down rules and regulations that will guide implementation. I would also put down the consequences of not adhering to these rules. Finally, I will roll them out to employees and employers in the organizations and set a date when it officially commences.
References
Belzunegui-Eraso, A., & Erro-Garcés, A. (2020). Teleworking in the Context of the Covid-19 Crisis. Sustainability, 12(9), 3662.
De Vries, H., Tummers, L., & Bekkers, V. (2019). The benefits of teleworking in the public sector: Reality or rhetoric?. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 39(4), 570-593.
Groen, B. A., Van Triest, S. P., Coers, M., & Wtenweerde, N. (2018). Managing flexible work arrangements: Teleworking and output controls. European Management Journal, 36(6), 727-735.
Television Violence; Cultivation Theory
Television Violence; Cultivation Theory
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Television Violence; Cultivation Theory
Cultivation Theory is an excellent model that helps in understanding television violence which has emerged to be a destructive element in consideration of the people’s social status. The cultivation theory is efficient in illustrating the long-term effects of watching television among the young people as well as the adults. It postulates that the more time people spend in the world watching TV, the more the possibility of these their social status will be influenced making them believe in the reality depicted in the TV. According to the theorists of this model, television violence is a growing concern in the nation that plays a significant role in shaping the societies social status as well as defining the reality in the media world. It is inquisitive when it comes to an understanding and satisfaction of the cultivation to as whether it shape the American social culture instigating violence or it is an essential element in eradicating brutality in the society. It is right that the theorists of the cultivation theory have related vast watching of television with violence, but on the other side, the critics opposing the model claims it is one of the best social media that brings cohesion in the nation as well as updating and educating people about numerous emerging issues. Hypothesis; I feel violence is a big part of society and television in shaping and showing how Americans view society. More time people spend living through the television more than the reality.
In carrying out the survey, the secondary research methods used in getting the relevant information regarding cultivation theory and television violence included both qualitative and quantitative technique. Among the qualitative techniques applied to the data, collection procedure provides face to face interviews, journals, books, regular observations, scholarly articles as well as online surveys (Shrum, 2017). Furthermore, the variety of quantitative methods used include focus groups, in-depth interviews, and hands-on observation. The research was not selective as every member of the societal participation was valid regardless the gender and age. The primary objective of the study is providing the collect picture of the television the primary cause of violence in the society as well as shaping the social perspectives of human in the American culture. Application of both the qualitative and quantitative research techniques is essential as it enhances efficiency during the process giving the correct illumination of the American community.
The secondary methodology was used in collecting the data where the quantitative and qualitative techniques are applied efficiently. Group discussion, face to face interviews, journals, books, regular observations, scholarly articles, observation and an online survey, are the vast applied techniques in establishing the required data. In itemizing the people’s findings regarding cultivation theory, the quantitative research tools are significant as there is the possibility of presenting the numerical data into valuable statistical approaches (Potter, 2014). The opinions, attitudes as well as the behaviors are efficiently quantified with the application of quantitative analysis approach which is also vital in grouping the findings of huge groups. Primary explanatory research modus operandi is the other name for qualitative research method where its tools are excellent in acquiring information from the central bases. It is more efficient in providing in-depth information than the quantitative approach. Qualitative research tools help in developing ideas as well as provide insights which are valuable to the application of the primary sources. The research supports in getting into the depth of the first and trending perception of the cultivation theory and television violence in the society today. In consideration of the focus group as a tool for obtaining profound data, the small group focused on the act as an illumination of how the American society and their perceptions regarding cultivation theory.
Today, almost the whole American society have access to the television where people keep track of the news and other emerging as well as trending issues in the world. People watch television as a conventional media but what matters when it comes to understanding cultivation theory is how often and the time one spends in watching the TV set. People spending five hours and above a day watching television were the primary elements of the target during the research.
In carrying out the interview, the main point was the effects of becoming a television manic with regards to the violence incurred daily as well as the experience and feeling of getting used to the media lifestyle. It was essential in determining whether the effects that the extreme watching instigates to changing person’s personality as well as the ethical conducts in the society. The participatory and systematic observations as a bit in the qualitative and quantitative research methods respectively were used in analyzing the television content as well as looking at the production process (Shrum, 2017). The focus group survey was essential in carrying out comprehensive range research regarding the impacts of prolonged television viewing in the community. With regards to the online study done, the people’s reviews towards the cultivation theory and its appropriation in eradication the nation’s culture were scrutinized, and their responses were noted well. According to the research done regarding cultivation theory, people are differently influenced by television violence depending on the gender, parental status, and the age. Many enjoy watching television but it is alarming that they are not aware of it instigates to human psychology that have enormous effects in future.
The young people tend to be the higher victims of watching television for a long time. It is because that many are free during the holidays as well as during other free time while on the other side many adults are busy and engaged in work to enhance family satisfaction. Therefore, they end up watching the TV sets for a limited time to get enough rest as well as preparing for the next day’s duties. Children do not understand that these television programs and other related media dramatically affects their psychology not having direct but slow effects. Most of this media component is fitted and made to the required standards through fiction. Hence, the young people developing with a mentality of television world will at many times get involved in violence as well as trying to do the impossible things as seen on the TV set. It is hazardous as the even at the adulthood the same perceptions will persists making the victims deprived of social behaviors with a high possibility of getting engaged in violence or other delinquency.
It is interesting that in consideration of gender, males tend to be affected by the television violence more than the female counterparts. It is because of their masculine nature which instigates the mentality that they are capable of doing extraordinary things as it is done by the major characters in the over exaggerated programs in the television. Women are also influenced as they portray human traits but not to a greater extent as men. The impacts of television violence on the adults are much lesser to that of the children as they have already developed cognitive that helps them in determining the right and the wrong. In many instances, adults who suffer television violence have some bases at their young level where they were exposed mainly to television viewing. At adulthood, long time viewing of television programs evokes exaggerated aggressiveness that at the end makes the person get involved in violence (Jamieson & Romer, 2014). The fact the children’s minds are developing and have a high capability of enormously holding new thing puts them at the risk of being victims of television violence. Such children will grow in the television world, and he or she will be contrary to the reality making it difficult to associate as well as surviving in a different kind of environment.
From the above discussion, it is true that high viewing rate of television leads to violence in the society as well as shaping the social status of the American community. Violence is a big part of the society and television shape and shows how people view society as they spend more living through TV set than the reality. In the modern society, almost all the children in the nation are raised in families where they have access to television making them adopt its world at a tender age. It is right that the television, on the other hand, is essential in updating people, sharpening minds as well as being significant in the education field. It is through guidance and counseling that the violence product of television and well as immorality can be curbed in the society. It is the responsibility of the public in general and parents at the individual level to educate the children about the significant effects of television in causing brutality as well as how it shows and shape the American culture.
References
Jamieson, P. E., & Romer, D. (2014). Violence in popular US prime time TV dramas and the cultivation of fear: A time series analysis. Media and Communication, 2(2), 31.
Shrum, L. J. (2017). Cultivation Theory: Effects and Underlying Processes. The International Encyclopedia of Media Effects.
Potter, W. J. (2014). A critical analysis of cultivation theory. Journal of Communication, 64(6), 1015-1036.
Shrum, L. J. (2017). Cultivation Theory: Effects and Underlying Processes. The International Encyclopedia of Media Effects.