What is Social Learning?

Mark S. Reed*, A. C. Evely, Georgina Cundill, Ioan Fazey, Jayne Glass, Adele Laing, Jens Newig, Brad Parrish, Christina Prell, Chris Raymond, Lindsay Stringer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1087 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Social learning is increasingly becoming a normative goal in natural resource management and policy. However, there remains little consensus over its meaning or theoretical basis. There are still considerable differences in understanding of the concept in the literature, including a number of articles published in Ecology & Society. Social learning is often conflated with other concepts such as participation and proenvironmental behavior, and there is often little distinction made between individual and wider social learning. Many unsubstantiated claims for social learning exist, and there is frequently confusion between the concept itself and its potential outcomes. This lack of conceptual clarity has limited our capacity to assess whether social learning has occurred, and if so, what kind of learning has taken place, to what extent, between whom, when, and how. This response attempts to provide greater clarity on the conceptual basis for social learning. We argue that to be considered social learning, a process must: (1) demonstrate that a change in understanding has taken place in the individuals involved; (2) demonstrate that this change goes beyond the individual and becomes situated within wider social units or communities of practice; and (3) occur through social interactions and processes between actors within a social network. A clearer picture of what we mean by social learning could enhance our ability to critically evaluate outcomes and better understand the processes through which social learning occurs. In this way, it may be possible to better facilitate the desired outcomes of social learning processes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalEcology and Society
Volume15
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPrint publication - 2010
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2010 by the author(s). Published here under license by The Resilience Alliance.

Keywords

  • social learning
  • participation
  • pro-environmental behaviour

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