15 January 2017
Let’s add more details to the reception example. Such things are not nosh-up events, first of all, but social events. There you can bypass a social lift and solve your business problems, find new partners. In other words, short-term rivaling aims (in our case satisfaction and trying all foods) can be replaced with another relation with a long-term part (for example, business interests or scientific career potentials) and a short-term one (the same appetite). In most cases, the long-term aim wins. Let’s add one more component to the same reception model. They serve wine and stronger liquors in such events.
The social learning theory tested here is summarized from Akers (1977:39-68). The primary learning mechanism in so-cial behavior is operant (instrumental) conditioning in which behavior is shaped by the stimuli which follow, or are conse-quences of the behavior. Social behavior is acquired both through direct condition-ing and through imitation or modelling of others' behavior. Behavior is strengthened through reward (positive reinforcement) and avoidance of punish-ment (negative reinforcement) or weakened by aversive stimuli (positive punishment) and loss of reward (negative punishment).