Apply the Social Learning Theory to Alcoholism

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Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. It is characterized by continuous or periodic impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial. Social learning theory is considered an individual-level explanation of alcoholism and focuses on the psychosocial aspects of this disease. It was developed by Ronald Akers. There are four primary components; differential association, definitions, differential reinforcement, and imitation. Differential association could refer to the extent of interaction with members of groups who regularly use alcohol to excess. Definitions of excessive alcohol use as justifiable, desirable, and pleasurable are learned in the context of primary group interaction. Differential reinforcement refers to the anticipation that the rewards of alcohol abuse markedly exceed any possible negative sanctions. Excessive drinking is differentially reinforced when the expected pleasure overshadows any adverse social or legal response. Imitation is simply modeling one's alcohol use after that of others using alcohol excessively.

Apply the Social Learning Theory to Alcoholism

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