NBPTS Exceptional Needs Specialist Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT one of the three laws of social learning?

1. Learning does not always lead to behavior change

2. People learn by observing

3. Only rewards influence behavior change

4. The mental state is important for learning

The correct answer is: Only rewards influence behavior change

The idea that "only rewards influence behavior change" does not align with the principles of social learning theory, which emphasizes that learning can occur through various means, not solely through rewards. This theory posits that individuals can learn by observing others and modeling their behaviors, suggesting that both reinforcement and observational learning play crucial roles. Social learning theory highlights the importance of cognitive processes, indicating that a student’s mental state, such as beliefs and expectations, can significantly affect how they learn from their environment. While rewards do influence behavior, the theory acknowledges that individuals are also motivated by other factors, such as the desire for social approval or the intrinsic satisfaction derived from the act of learning itself. In contrast, the other statements accurately reflect essential aspects of social learning. For instance, observational learning encompasses acquiring new behaviors through watching others, demonstrating that learning can occur even without direct reinforcement. Additionally, recognizing the importance of mental states aligns with the understanding that cognition shapes the learning process beyond mere reward-driven behavior. Thus, the notion that only rewards impact behavior change is not consistent with the broader interpretation of social learning.