Psy 210
Social learning theory and trait theory are two distinct schools of thought in psychology that seek to explain human characteristics and behavior. Although the two theories use different approaches and underlying principles, they both seek a better understanding of the human psychology.
Social learning theory focuses on the social context of learning. This theory holds that people learn and modify their behavior primarily by relating with one another in a variety of ways. In other words, people learn by observing the behavior of others and the subsequent consequences of that behavior. Social learning theorists believe that such learning can, but does not necessarily, result in a change in behavior.
Albert Bandura is perhaps the best known of social learning theorists. He holds that modeling (the process by which people observe and learn) requires the following: the person must pay attention to the model, the observer must be able to remember the behavior, the observer must have the ability to replicate the behavior, and must have motivation to demonstrate what he/she has learning.
Thus, social learning theory holds that behaviors and personality traits can be explained primarily by what an individual has observed and modeled in his or her environment. In contrast, trait theory relies on wholly different principles.
Trait theorists are primarily interested in the study of traits, which can be defined as habitual patterns of behavior, thoughts or emotions. This theory holds that personality traits are largely matters of biology. Theorists have identified parts of the brain and other body systems that they postulate are responsible for certain traits. In contrast to social learning theory, which seeks to describe personality in terms of learning from the environment, trait theory seeks to define an individual by his/her genetic and physical make-up which is manifested as traits.
Trait theories hold that traits are relative stable behaviors, regardless...
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