Social Learning Theory & Nature vs. Nurture As They Relate To PTSD
Introduction
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the most severe mental illnesses both in the United States and globally, and it affects millions of people. According to Liberzon & Abelson (2016), PTSD is a condition that is activated by terrifying events by either witnessing or experiencing them. The illness, therefore, develops after experiencing a frightening, stressful, or distressful life event. In most cases, prolonged or severe traumatic events such as sexual abuse might trigger the occurrence. The symptoms with regard to the condition might incorporate severe anxiety, uncontrollable thoughts, nightmares, and constant flashbacks that affect a person’s judgment and behavior. After a traumatic encounter, most people experience major challenges trying to adjust to the rather stressful situation but get better over time through proper self-care. However, once the symptoms become severe, they might affect an individual’s ability to attend to day to day activities due to the manifestation of PTSD. Experiences and things that people observe in addition to genetic factors are mainly considered to be the leading source of PTSD. In this context, several models attempt to explain the factors that contribute to the development of PTSD, such as social learning and nature vs. nurture theory.
Social learning theory suggests that all human behaviors can be learned from observation. In addition, the internal cognitive state is a vital part of this process, and even though something has been learned, this does not imply that it will lead to behavioral changes (Schultz & Schultz, 2016). The theory proposes that learning is a result of direct encounter with the surrounding which occurs through the process of reinforcement and association. However, based on the theory, direct reinforcement is not accountable for all forms of learning, but it occupies a significant share in behavioral and cognitive development. For instance, people, including children, normally display learning or skillfulness of things with which they lack any direct experience mainly because they have observed other people doing them. In other words, an individual’s observation of others participating in various activities or behaviors is likely to influence their development. In an environment where people engage in unethical behaviors such as drinking and drinking, the observant will mainly be influenced to adopt the same behavior based on the assumption that it is ethical. In that, when one grows up in an environment where individuals use alcohol as a coping mechanism, one will believe that alcohol is the best approach to deal with stress. By associating with such people, one will learn and embrace new ways of doing things based on the belief that they are morally appropriate.
With respect to PTSD, social learning theory is important as it helps in explaining the occurrence of distress and the inability to cope. After experiencing a traumatic event such as sexual assault as a child, one might observe it as a norm and therefore choose not to share with others. Through incidences of flashbacks of the traumatic occurrence, these results in the building up of stress and not even alcohol can save one from such encounters. The theory, therefore, highlight that people might begin practicing the behaviors that they have witnessed as a way of coping.
On the other hand, Nature vs. Nurture holds that genetic inheritance and how a person is brought about influence an individual’s behaviors and development (Music, 2016). In other words, the theory holds that behaviors are acquired based on exposure, learning, and life experiences, which triggers activates certain genetic factors which are responsible for behavioral changes (Music, 2016). The theory provides grounds for the debate on whether behavior, personality, and human culture are mainly triggered by Nurture or nature. Nature is normally defined as biological or home-based habits, characteristics, and dispositions, while Nurture mainly encompasses the experience, environment, and culture. The social surrounding and culture are responsible for shaping an individual’s character or behavior since the aspects normally dictate what one should do or not. In other words, this normally determines what one should perceive as morally right or unethical (Music, 2016). In addition, the human personality is particularly influenced by both pieces of training as well as experience. Similar to the social learning concept, individuals develop certain behaviors from observing and experiencing based on their social exposure. Nurturing entails how a person has been brought up. The variables usually impact who an individual becomes, which includes childhood encounters, the upbringing, social relationship, and cultural aspects (Music, 2016). If an individual is brought up by parents who relief themselves from stress through the use of drugs rather than sharing their experiences, children will likely adopt the behaviors which will determine how well they are able to cope with stress. The theory is important with regard to its relation to PTSD as it explains how social experiences, genetic-based aspects, and personalities can affect an individual’s behavior.
Both theories are appropriate in relation to PTSD because the illness is usually triggered by traumatic life experiences (Liberzon & Abelson, 2016). In that, both theories hold that life experiences are responsible for affecting behaviors and development. Nurturing experiences such as divorce, exposure to distressing events, sexual assault, or other undesirable childhood experiences are likely to contribute to stress, which later develops to PTSD. The environment can shape their personality and behavior as a whole. Based on social learning theory, it is not only direct experience that can result in learning because people can learn new things or behaviors by observing others. PTSD mainly takes place once an individual is unable to cope with the stress that resulted from a traumatic encounter. The behavior can be hereditary where the parents have a history of inability to deal with pressure or stress, but this cannot be activated in the absence of traumatic encounters. In that, an individual mental state is vital in this process because it helps in determining how best individual deals with the stress. Not all traumatic experiences result in behavioral change because some people’s mental state is well equipped to deal with rather stressful situations. However, even with a strong mental state, if an individual is subjected to prolonged trauma, they are likely to lose the ability to deal with stress (Van-der, 2017). Nurture is also an aspect that shapes an individual’s character and behaviors as people become who they were raised to be after all. A child that is raised in a rather unstable environment might be highly equipped in dealing with stress than the one from a stable family which explains the contribution of social influence.
According to social learning theory, an individual can acquire behaviors from learning. In case they are exposed to a rather stressful upbringing, they tend to perceive certain behaviors as normal, and in the long run, their mental health is affected (Van der Kolk, 2017). On the other hand, according to Nature vs. Nurture, certain genetic factors will remain inactive until a person interacts with various environmental factors. The interaction between social experiences, hereditary factors, as well as cultural aspects, is responsible for shaping behaviors and influencing development (Cisler et al., 2015). Without a doubt, after experiencing or witnessing certain behaviors, one can potentially adopt them in the long run. Even though PTSD is triggered by traumatic stress, it is clear that it is mainly because of the inability to control the manifestation of stress. The situation is mainly affected by social, cultural, and genetic factors. The social environment helps individuals to learn while culture and nurturing are responsible for shaping personalities and behaviors.
Nature vs. Nurture theory offers a better understanding of PTSD because as a mental disorder, it is caused by the interaction between both hereditary and environmental factors. Contrary to the social learning model which asserts that behaviors are as a result of direct experience or association, nature vs. nature helps in demonstrating how the environment and genetic factors contribute in the development of certain behaviors. Nurturing is critical in determining who a person becomes while nature helps in reinforcing a character after a behavior is learned (Schultz & Schultz, 2016). The psychological research of both theories helped in gaining a better understanding of the topic based on the ability to explore socio-cultural and genetic contribution to behavioral and cognitive development. Cultural aspects such as behaviors and beliefs are more appropriate in enhancing the understanding of PTSD.
In conclusion, it is evident that PTSD is mainly influenced by both behavioral and cognitive aspects. Experiencing prolonged stressful events might trigger the occurrence of the mental disorder, which tends to manifest over time. Social experiences contribute greatly to the triggering of mental instability in the case that a person is unable to deal with stress or control thoughts. While experience from a social and cultural perspective is crucial, the mental state also plays a big role in shaping behaviors and influencing development.
References
Cisler, J. M., Bush, K., Steele, J. S., Lenow, J. K., Smitherman, S., & Kilts, C. D. (2015). Brain and behavioral evidence for altered social learning mechanisms among women with assault-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of psychiatric research, 63, 75-83.
Liberzon, I., & Abelson, J. L. (2016). Context Processing and the Neurobiology of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Neuron, 92(1), 14–30. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2016.09.039
Music, G. (2016). Nurturing natures: Attachment and children's emotional, sociocultural and brain development. Routledge.
Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2016). Theories of personality. Cengage Learning.
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2017). Developmental trauma disorder: toward a rational diagnosis for children with complex trauma histories. Psychiatric annals, 35(5), 401-408.
