Sociology 2 Assignment: Social Exchange Theory vs. Learning Theory

This essay delves into two prominent sociological theories: social exchange theory and Albert Bandura's social learning theory. Social exchange theory, rooted in the principles of cost-benefit analysis, examines how individuals evaluate relationships based on potential rewards and punishments, emphasizing a rational approach to social interactions. Bandura's social learning theory, on the other hand, posits that people learn through observation, imitation, and modeling, highlighting the importance of attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation in the learning process. The essay contrasts these theories, exploring their core assumptions, applications, and the fundamental differences in their approaches to understanding human behavior and group dynamics. The essay also provides a comprehensive overview of how these theories contribute to the understanding of social interactions, emphasizing their relevance in various social contexts.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
SOCIOLOGY
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Author Note

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Social Exchange Theory
Several key assumptions concerning human character and nature of connections form the
basis for a social exchange theory. Firstly, people tend to search for rewards and avoid
punishment. Another principle is that someone begins to interact with the minimal cost so as to
get the maximum profit and the person is driven by "what does it have to do with me?. The
following theory is that before taking part people tend to calculate profit and costs (Cropanzano
et al., 2017). In conclusion, the hypothesis assumes people know that over time, this "payment"
will vary from person to person and with the same person. The theory of social exchange is a
notion that the relationship is formed by a cost-benefit analysis process between two people. In
many other phrases, it is a measurement to decide the attempt an individual has put into a
relationship between humans (Huang et al., 2016). Measuring the advantages and except without
any of the relationship can produce figures to evaluate if one makes so much initiative
The theory is distinctive in that relationships on emotional metrics are not necessarily
measured. Instead, its systemic processes rely on mathematics and logic to determine balance.
The theory is mainly used to calculate interactions between groups in a community.
This theory is connected to a number of aspects of the process of groups or the dynamics
of group activity including co-ordination and communication pattern within the group. It is
furthermore connected to the balance of the task force verses the social focuses within the group
activities.
Learning Theory by Bandura
The theorized by Albert Bandura, Social Learning Theory posits that people learn by
observing, imitating, and modeling. Theory has frequently been referred to as a link between

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theory of behavior and behavioral learning since it includes attention, recollection and
determination. The theory of social learning by Albert Bandura covers the gap between
behavioral and cognitive behavior (Harinie, et al., 2017). The concept of behavior strengthened
from earlier and cognitive processes such as attention, motivation and memory from later are
included in social learning theory.
In reality, social learning theory is basically the description of how a person learns when
in social settings, as when the title indicates. Bandura developed four principles of social
learning from his research.
Attention
If you see something that's new or different somehow, people can focus their attention more
likely. Social contexts help strengthen these perceptions. You can't learn if you don't focus on the
task.
Retention
Individual learning in our memories by internalizing information. You remember that
information later on when you are needed to react to a similar situation to that in which you
learned its information next (Deaton, 2015).
Reproduction
Individual information (behaving, skills, knowledge) reproduces earlier learned information
when necessary. Practice however, often enhances responses through mental and physical
proceedings.

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Insipration
People must be inspired to do whatever. Often that motive comes from the assessment that
somebody else is compensated or penalized for doing or saying something. Usually, this causes
people to do the same thing later or not to do it.
Comparison
The theory of Bandura goes beyond theories of behavior that suggest that all habits are
got to learn via reinforcement, and theory of cognition, taking physiological impacts, like care
and memory into account. Bandura's theory of social learning suggested that learning can also
happen simply by looking at others ' actions. This theory encourages the learning gained from
different individual indulged in a group activity (Devi, Khandelwal & Das, 2017). His hypothesis
has introduced a social component, claiming that new information and conduct can be learned by
seeing others. This type of learning, known as observational learning, can be used for a diverse
range of behavior.
On the other hand, the core assumption of the theory of social exchange provides a fundamental
basis within social exchange which does not fit everything in one dimension. The expectations of
a person can be perceived on such a case by case basis, which adapt on an individual level,
according to comparative levels (Lin, 2017). If the personal relationship samples of an individual
are set at a certain level, this level tends to be used as a foundation of future relations. As a result
of an interactive exchange process, social exchange theory regards social behavior. Such
transactions help individuals assess the social relationships ' potential benefits and costs. Social
exchange is designed to improve positive experiences and reduce negative experiences. If the
relationship's costs outweigh the benefits, people are likely to quit.

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In his theory, Albert Bandura stated that at the core of social learning theory are three
basic concepts. Firstly, the notion that people may discover by observing. Next will be the
concept that an essential part of this process is an internal mental state (Goldie, 2016).
Eventually, the above theory acknowledges that it will not mean a change of behavior simply
because something was learned. The social exchange theory on the other hand indicates that the
assessment of the benefits and expenses of each relation determines whether or not a social
association is chosen. The basic difference among the two different theories is that the theory of
social exchange indicates that you essentially take advantage and remove the expense to measure
the value of a regards. Strong relationships are those where the advantages overweight costs and
adverse relationships arise when costs exceed the advantages (Aryee et al., 2015). Cost benefit
and exchange plays a very major role within the group work since individuals benefits from
exchange. The learning theory by Bandura on the other hand explains how individual benefits
from learning experiences and all behaviors, that also take into consideration mental and
emotional impacts like attention and memory, are learned through conditioning and cognitive
theories.

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References
Aryee, S., Walumbwa, F. O., Mondejar, R., & Chu, C. W. (2015). Accounting for the influence
of overall justice on job performance: Integrating self‐determination and social exchange
theories. Journal of Management Studies, 52(2), 231-252.
Cropanzano, R., Anthony, E. L., Daniels, S. R., & Hall, A. V. (2017). Social exchange theory: A
critical review with theoretical remedies. Academy of Management Annals, 11(1), 479-
516.
Deaton, S. (2015). Social Learning Theory in the Age of Social Media: Implications for
Educational Practitioners. Journal of Educational Technology, 12(1), 1-6.
Devi, B., Khandelwal, B., & Das, M. (2017). Application of Bandura's social cognitive theory in
the technology enhanced, blended learning environment. International Journal of
Applied Research, 3(1), 721-724.
Goldie, J. G. S. (2016). Connectivism: A knowledge learning theory for the digital age?. Medical
teacher, 38(10), 1064-1069.
Harinie, L. T., Sudiro, A., Rahayu, M., & Fatchan, A. (2017). Study of the Bandura’s Social
Cognitive Learning Theory for the entrepreneurship learning process. Social
Sciences, 6(1), 1.
Huang, Y. H., Lee, J., McFadden, A. C., Murphy, L. A., Robertson, M. M., Cheung, J. H., &
Zohar, D. (2016). Beyond safety outcomes: An investigation of the impact of safety

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climate on job satisfaction, employee engagement and turnover using social exchange
theory as the theoretical framework. Applied ergonomics, 55, 248-257.
Lin, N. (2017). Building a network theory of social capital. In Social capital (pp. 3-28).
Routledge.