{"id":557,"date":"2017-07-17T15:04:51","date_gmt":"2017-07-17T15:04:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/?p=557"},"modified":"2025-05-01T10:56:51","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T15:56:51","slug":"social-learning-in-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/articles\/social-learning-in-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Learning in Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, Owner and Founder of the Dogue Shop<\/p>\n

What is social learning in dogs, and why bother with social cognitive learning theory (SCT)? Here is a look at a theory which is rapidly changing dog training, but more specifically, dog behavior modification<\/a><\/span>. The topic is complex; therefore, allow me to break it down into a few sections.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is social cognitive learning theory? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Social cognitive learning is an extension of Albert Bandura\u2019s social learning theory developed in the 1960s. One definition for social learning is reciprocal determinism based on social influences developed during attachment. The social bond directly influences imitation. In the SCT the attachment style is the most important aspect of learning.<\/p>\n

Bandura concluded his observations after he conducted an experiment we now refer to as the bobo doll<\/em>. Researchers exposed children to aggressive behaviors exhibited by adults towards toys. Researchers found children who observed adults inflicting aggressive behaviors to toys were more likely to replicate the aggression than children exposed to passive behavior. Furthermore, the attachment of the child towards the adult yielded more aggressive behaviors than observations from strangers.<\/p>\n

Bandura explained the model with the use of a triangle. Each part of the triangle is bi-directional and must be present for learning to occur. Break one direction and learning ceases. The theory states a secure attachment between individual subjects allows for learning to take place when placed in a favorable environment; therefore, if all three components are present, learning takes place. The revolutionary process has to do with cognition. Problem solving links to attachment to problem solving because it creates a trusting association between the two individuals.<\/p>\n

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A secure attachment, in turn, allows the cognitive process to flourish. However, if the environment is stressful, distracting, or uncomfortable: too hot, too cold, noisy, smelly, cluttered, too small, too big, etc. learning will be very difficult, not to say impossible. Another important factor influences learning: the individuals involved. Both parties within the triangle need to be predisposed to learning. The biological environment we call the body is directly responsible to successes or failures. If you need to urinate, you will not teach or learn. If a dog needs to urinate, we obtain the same result. Below are the necessary components for social cognitive learning to occur.<\/p>\n