|
Correct Answer: maladaptive coping skills
social learning theory, developed by albert bandura, posits that people learn from one another through observation, imitation, and modeling. when applied to the context of alcohol abuse and addiction, this theory suggests that such behaviors can be learned through the observation of role models such as family members, peers, or media figures who exhibit similar behaviors. this theory diverges from genetic explanations of addiction, which focus on inherited predispositions, and instead emphasizes the role of the environment and learned behaviors in the development of addiction.
according to social learning theory, addiction can be seen as the result of maladaptive coping skills. this means that individuals may turn to alcohol as a way to deal with stress, anxiety, or other negative emotions because they have observed others doing so and have learned to model this behavior as a coping mechanism. over time, these maladaptive behaviors can become ingrained as the person's primary method of managing stress or discomfort, leading to addiction.
the theory further breaks down the learning process into several components: personal experience and past learning, situational antecedents, biologic makeup, cognitive processes, and reinforcement contingencies. personal experience and past learning refer to the individual’s history with alcohol, including any initial exposures and the outcomes they observed. situational antecedents are the environmental or contextual triggers that might prompt alcohol use, such as being in a social setting where drinking is normative.
biologic makeup, while primarily considered in genetic or biological theories of addiction, is also acknowledged in social learning theory as influencing how individuals react to alcohol and potentially moderating the effects of learned behaviors. cognitive processes involve the beliefs and expectations about alcohol use that are developed through learning; for example, if a person believes that alcohol effectively reduces stress because they have seen others use it in this way, they are more likely to adopt this behavior.
finally, reinforcement contingencies play a critical role in the learning process. positive reinforcements (such as feeling relaxed or socially connected after drinking) can strengthen the behavior of drinking, while negative reinforcements (such as using alcohol to avoid negative feelings or social isolation) can also contribute to the repetition of this behavior. over time, these reinforced behaviors can evolve into an addiction if they are not addressed with healthier coping strategies.
in summary, social learning theory provides a framework for understanding alcohol addiction as a learned behavior influenced by environmental, cognitive, and social factors rather than purely genetic ones. it emphasizes the importance of addressing these factors in the treatment and prevention of addiction, suggesting interventions that focus on changing learned behaviors and enhancing adaptive coping skills.
|
