National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

Which approach emphasizes learning through experience and observation of others' outcomes?

1. Operant Conditioning

2. Social Learning Approach

3. Behaviorism

4. Classical Conditioning

The correct answer is: Social Learning Approach

The Social Learning Approach emphasizes the importance of learning through experience and the observation of others' behaviors and the outcomes that follow. This approach, developed by Albert Bandura, posits that individuals can acquire new behaviors by observing and imitating others, especially when they see those behaviors being rewarded. It incorporates key concepts such as modeling, imitation, and self-efficacy. In contrast, operant conditioning focuses on the consequences of behavior as a means of learning, where behaviors are reinforced or punished but does not center on observational learning. Behaviorism is a broader psychological perspective that regards all behaviors as a product of environmental interactions and does not specifically highlight observational learning. Similarly, classical conditioning involves learning through association, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus, leading to conditioned responses, but it does not include components of social learning. Thus, the Social Learning Approach captures the essence of experiential and observational learning that distinguishes it from these other behavioral theories.