Social Learning and Coping Models (Part 1)

During this Briefing we look at the relevance of social learning and coping models to our understanding of substance use and misuse.

Social Learning Theory (SLT), developed by Albert Bandura in the mid-1970s, has impacted strongly in this field. In essence, SLT describes the effect of cognitive processes on goal-directed behaviour. It considers the human capacity for learning within a social environment through observation and communication.

“For example, learning to drink occurs as part of growing up in a particular culture in which the social influences of family, peers and popular media shape the behaviours, expectancies and beliefs of young people concerning alcohol.”