18.1.3

(2026 Exams) Learning Theory Explanation

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Learning Theory Explanation of Smoking

Behaviours, including smoking, can be learned through observation and modelling. Akers and Lee (1996) studied smoking in adolescence.

Operant conditioning

Operant conditioning

  • Behaviourists believe that new behaviours, like smoking, are learned by observing someone do the behaviour, then modelling/imitating that behaviour.
  • Operant conditioning is when behaviours are reinforced through rewards or discouraged through punishments.
Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement

  • In this case, smoking is positively reinforced.
    • For example, teens may want to look cool and belong to a group, so are more likely to continue smoking to belong.
  • There can be other role models for smoking, such as parents and celebrities.
Negative reinforcement

Negative reinforcement

  • Operant conditioning also involves the concept of negative reinforcement, which is where something undesirable is removed when an action is done.
  • In this case, the undesirable withdrawals symptoms are removed when someone smokes.
  • Smokers may also want to avoid feeling left out, feelings of stress or boredom.
Cue reactivity

Cue reactivity

  • Cue reactivity is when an addict is more likely to respond to addiction related activities or objects.
    • For example, an object could be a cigarette lighter or pack.
  • When a smoker sees them, it is difficult for them not to smoke.
Environments

Environments

  • As well, certain environments like pubs or when drinking makes it difficult for people not to smoke as they are cued.
  • These reactions could be explained by classical conditioning (where a stimulus is continually presented causing a response).
Environments cont.

Environments cont.

  • In these environments, when the person is presented with a stimulus, the body expects to receive the nicotine, so the person will develop a craving for the nicotine.

Akers and Lee (1996)

Akers and Lee (1996) studied smoking in adolescence.

Research support

Research support

  • Studies have supported the social learning theory.
    • For example, Akers and Lee (1996) examined the effect of social learning and developing a smoking habit.
Method

Method

  • Self-report questionnaires were given to 454 secondary school students.
  • These questionnaires measured how often they smoked as well as social learning variables.
  • Social learning variables included parental and peer attitudes to smoking, if their friends smoked and how often their friends smoked.
  • The questionnaires were given over the course of the five-year longitudinal study.
Results

Results

  • There were significant positive correlations between smoking and the social learning variables.
Conclusion

Conclusion

  • Social learning variables play a role in whether or not someone starts to smoke (in adolescence).
Evaluation

Evaluation

  • As the questionnaires were self-reported, they could be unreliable.
  • It is important to note that a correlation was determined, not necessarily a causal effect.
    • The research cannot conclude that social learning variables caused the students to smoke.
Evaluation cont.

Evaluation cont.

  • Finally, different social variables could have a larger impact on an adolescent.
    • For example, peers who smoke could have a bigger influence than parents who do not smoke.
    • Another example could be the role that gender plays - perhaps one gender is more susceptible to social learning variables.
  • The study did not look into these conditions.
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