Social Learning Theory
Social Learning Theory, humans learn through observations and imitation
In a now famous (fabled) experiment, a group of monkeys were placed in an enclosure containing a ladder, at the top of which are hanging bananas. Every time a monkey attempts to climb the ladder , the entire group is sprayed with cold water, causing discomfort and frustration to all. After many attempts by different monkeys to climb the ladder, the group learns an association - whenever one of them climbs the ladder to get a banana, the entire ends up being sprayed with water, leading to the collective discouragement of any climbing attempts.
One monkey from the original group is then replaced with a new one, unaware of the established unwritten rule. Naturally, the new monkey, enticed by the bananas, attempts to climb the ladder, only to be attacked by the rest of the group, preventing him from reaching the top. One by one, the original monkeys are replaced, and each new member learns to conform to the group’s behaviour, attacking any monkey that attempts to climb, despite never experiencing the cold water spray themselves.
This scenario very much portrays the human predicament - the tendency to conform to collective norms. I find it echoes the Japanese saying, "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down."
It’s a stark reflection of our inherent hesitancy to challenge or question the established order - the powers that be. A disbelief that, despite never witnessing or enduring the consequences, we dare not contravene the established norms. It often brings to the fore a concept that shaped my childhood.
"The nail that sticks out gets hammered down."
The experiment with the monkeys and the ladder illustrates more than just a simple lesson about conformity; it’s a mirror reflecting our intrinsic human tendencies to observe, learn, and, often, to conform. The monkeys, much like us, learned not from personal experience but from observing the consequences faced by others. This is the essence of Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, a theory that delves deep into observational learning, showing us how we are shaped by our environments and the behaviours we (choose to) observe.
Social Learning Theory
Social Learning Theory, championed by Albert Bandura, emphasises the role of observation and imitation in learning. According to this theory, individuals learn by observing the behaviours of others and the outcomes of those behaviours.
A pivotal concept in Social Learning Theory is the Bobo doll experiment.
In this study, children observed an adult model behaving aggressively towards a Bobo doll and when given the opportunity to play with the doll later, the children who had observed the aggressive behaviour were more likely to imitate it. This experiment is used an evidence to highlight the power of observational learning and the influence of role models.
God complex
Growing up, I often found myself gazing up at people, believing they had all the answers, feeling insignificant within their looming shadows—too scared to utter "No," too intimidated to challenge them. This sensation, this "God Complex," coerced me into conformity, silenced my voice. I attribute much of this to my upbringing, being a minority, raised in an environment where questioning was forbidden, where the rule was ‘do as you’re told!’.
‘you ain’t got the answers, Sway!’ Kanye West
Embarking on this journey, I've learned that it’s okay to have my own voice, to question, to not follow blindly. It’s been liberating to realise that those we place above don’t possess all the answers. To echo Kanye West, ‘you ain’t got the answers, Sway!’. They harbour insecurities, and feel just as lost as I do. They aren’t superior to me. I possess a unique life experience, a distinctive voice—no one sees the world through my lens.
It’s been a journey of self-discovery, of understanding my worth, of realising that being me, being different, is okay. It’s been liberating to step out of the shadows, to perceive people as they truly are, not as unassailable giants but as equals. It’s a straightforward lesson, but it’s reshaped my entire perspective.
"Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you," Steve Jobs
It brings to the fore Steve Jobs' insightful remark, "Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you," underscoring the parallels between the conformist behaviours of the monkeys and our own submission to norms.
HiPPoS
"How Google Works" is a book co-authored by Eric Schmidt, Google's Executive Chairman and ex-CEO, and Jonathan Rosenberg, former SVP of Products. The book touches on various subjects, including that of the HIPPO - authority bias.
One of the concepts discussed in the corporate world, not just in the book, is the "HIPPO" phenomenon, which stands for the "Highest Paid Person's Opinion". This refers to the tendency in many organisations to give undue weight to the opinion of the highest-paid person in the room, regardless of the validity or expertise behind that opinion. This can be detrimental to decision-making processes, as it might stifle innovative ideas and discourage others from voicing their perspectives.
Employees may start to believe that the opinion of the highest-paid person is always the most valid.
In relation to Social Learning Theory, employees might observe this behaviour and begin to model it, believing that the opinion of the highest-paid individual is always the most valid. They might refrain from sharing their own insights or challenging the status quo, leading to a culture where decisions are made based on authority rather than merit.
Conformity is exhausting
Life can be tiring when we’re always trying to fit in, always acting the way others expect us to. It’s like we’re wearing a mask, pretending to be someone we’re not, and it’s exhausting. But when we stop pretending and just be ourselves, it feels like a weight has been lifted. It’s freeing to be true to ourselves and not worry about what everyone else thinks.
As a point of self-reflection and thinking about this, it’s my goal in life to get to a point where you stop worrying about what other people think of you. I’ve heard a lot of older people say that they look back and see they spent so much time worrying about what others thought, only to find out those people weren’t thinking about them at all. It’s like waking up to see that the things we were scared of weren’t really all that important.
Workplace conformity
The phrase ‘… I want it that way’ resonates with many, symbolising a desire for things to remain as they are. In many organisations, the phrase “because that’s the way it’s always been done” is common, reflecting a resistance to change and a clinging to old roads.
This adherence to tradition can stifle creativity and suppress voices that seek to bring about change. The book "How Google Works" introduces us to the ‘disrupter,’ a figure who stands out in a sea of conformity.
The disrupter challenges established norms and questions the status quo, acting as a driver for innovation and change. Yes, they might be seen as troublesome, but their determination to question and challenge are crucial for breaking the chains of conformity and paving the way for progress and new possibilities within organisations. The journey of the disrupter is about overcoming resistance and helping others see beyond the established and into the realm of what could be ... what should be.
Group think
Groupthink, a term coined by Irving Janis in 1972, is a psychological phenomenon in which people in a cohesive group tend to agree with each other and suppress dissenting viewpoints to keep peace.
"The more amiability and esprit de corps there is among the members of a policy-making in-group, the greater the danger that independent critical thinking will be replaced by groupthink." Irving Janis
Groupthink and social learning theory both delve into the dynamics of group behavior and individual conformity. Groupthink can lead individuals to conform to group norms, suppressing dissenting opinions, while social learning theory suggests that individuals adopt behaviours they observe in others, especially from authority figures or role models. Both theories emphasise the power of observational learning and the influence of reinforcement, whether it's the reward of group approval or the emulation of rewarded behaviours.
The role of peers is pivotal in shaping behavior, with groupthink warning against prioritising harmony over critical thinking, and social learning highlighting peer influence on individual actions
Groupthink is damaging for many reasons:
Poor Decision Making: Groupthink can lead to suboptimal decisions as the group may prioritise consensus over critical analysis.
Suppression of Dissent: In a groupthink environment, individuals may feel pressured to conform to the majority view, leading to a lack of diverse opinions and perspectives.
Overconfidence & isolation: Groups affected by groupthink may become overly confident in their decisions, believing that their collective wisdom is infallible. Groups under the influence of groupthink may isolate themselves from external opinions and feedback, further reinforcing their shared beliefs.
Learn through observation :
Social Learning Theory tells us that we learn by watching and copying what others do. It’s like when kids watch their parents, siblings, or friends and then do the same things they do. This, in particular, is called observational learning. It’s not just about learning actions but also attitudes and reactions.
Observational learning is crucial in Social Learning Theory. It’s when we watch people and learn from them. We often copy people who are like us or those we look up to, like parents, teachers, or celebrities. For example, if a child sees another child getting praised for asking questions, they might start asking questions too.
The role of Models:
The people we watch and learn from are called models. They show us how to behave, and we pay close attention to them and remember their actions. We don’t just copy anyone; we usually copy people who are similar to us or who we admire or who get rewards for what they do.
Several factors influence our mimicking of behaviour:
Similarity - we copy people who are like us.
Identification with the Model - we copy people we admire or want to be like.
Rewarded Behaviours - we copy actions that get rewards.
Status and Expertise - we copy people who are successful, rich or know a lot.
Conditioning Theory: The Power of Association
Conditioning Theory, often associated with the works of Ivan Pavlov and B.F. Skinner, revolves around the concept of learning through association. At its core, this theory posits that our behaviours are shaped by the relationships between stimuli and responses.
Classical Conditioning
Classical Conditioning (Pavlovian Conditioning): This form of learning was first observed by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist. He noticed that dogs would salivate not only when food was presented but also when they saw the lab assistant who fed them. Through a series of experiments, Pavlov demonstrated that dogs could be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell if it was consistently paired with the presentation of food.
Operant Conditioning
Operant Conditioning: B.F. Skinner, an American psychologist, expanded upon this concept by introducing the idea of reinforcement and punishment. In operant conditioning, behaviours are strengthened or weakened based on their consequences. For instance, a child might learn to complete their homework on time if they receive praise (positive reinforcement) or avoid detention (negative reinforcement).
Contrasting the Two Theories
Nature of Learning:
Conditioning Theory: This theory posits that learning occurs through direct experiences and associations. Conditioning can be either classical, where an individual learns to associate two stimuli, or operant, where a behavior is strengthened or weakened based on its consequences.
Social Learning Theory: Emphasises that learning can occur through observation and imitation of others - through attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.
Role of Environment:
Conditioning Theory: Environment is paramount in shaping behaviour. It does so through stimuli that elicit responses. For instance, in classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response. The environment, with its stimuli and consequences, directly molds the behavior of the individual.
Social Learning Theory: While the environment plays a role in the Social Learning Theory, it places a particular emphasis on the social environment. This theory suggests that individuals learn behaviours by observing and imitating models in their environment. These models can be parents, peers, teachers, or even characters in media. The environment provides these models, and through observation, individuals learn and imitate their behaviors.
Cognitive Processes:
Conditioning Theory: has been criticised for overlooking the role of cognitive processes in learning - focussing more on observable behaviours and the external stimuli and responses that shape them.
Social Learning Theory: recognises and underscores the importance of cognitive processes in learning. These cognitive processes are crucial for observational learning to take place.
Reflection and Choices:
Bandura believed that we think about and process what we observe before we decide to copy it. We consider whether we can do it, whether it’s worth it, and whether we want to do it. This means we have control over our actions and can make choices about what we learn and do.
We can change our behaviours and attitudes throughout our lives by observing others. This gives us hope that we can always learn and grow by watching the people around us and choosing wisely what to learn from them.
Embrace Learning and Reflection
I often think about the monkeys and how we, like them, follow what we see without asking why. It makes me wonder, are we just copying others because it’s easy? The God Complex shows us how we sometimes see others as better, thinking they know more. It’s a reminder to us all to think for ourselves and to value our own experiences and ideas.
But this isn’t about not learning from others; it’s about choosing wisely who we learn from and questioning what we learn. It’s about being true to ourselves while still growing and learning from the world around us. It’s about the importance of being good role models for others, showcasing behaviours and attitudes that can positively shape those around us.
So, I’m left wondering, how can we be ourselves but also fit into the world around us? How can we learn from others but also think for ourselves? It’s something I’m still figuring out, and maybe you are too. Let’s keep questioning, keep learning, and keep being true to who we are.