The 5 Ships and Cycle of Social Learning

The individual goes through different stages of social learning and psychological development. Knowledge and experiences developed at each stage inform the individual’s economic reality and self-actualization or fulfilment through life. These stages, tagged the five ships of social learning, include guardianship, scholarship, mentorship, fellowship and companionship. They are discussed as follows:

Guardianship

Guardianship marks entry to social life; it is the primary learning phase that initiates the child’s psychological development. The child is nurtured to become an active member of society, learning the values and methods of social relations in its environment. The child begins to develop an idea of the meaning of its existence in terms of the expectations and the attitudes of the significant others in its life.

Social learning begins at this stage through hypnotism or imitation. Since the child has yet to develop full consciousness of self, the behaviour and psyche of the child are unconsciously shaped by the choices and the parenting style of its guidance. The child also involuntarily inherits the social status of its guidance which primarily determines its life chances.

Experiences gathered at this stage constitute the most coercive part of the individual’s later life even though one has little or no control over them. Whether an individual acquires formal education or goes to learn a trade and whether or not the individual has access to the right mentorship and association can be traced to the guardianship they were exposed to as a child. Studies have shown that children from broken homes or of single parents often find it difficult to cope through life.

Scholarship/Apprenticeship

The child goes through the rigorous process of structured learning which prepares it with standardized knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to society. This is a learning phase where the child begins to actively engage its conscious mind. Exposed to series of tests and practical, the child understands success is what you consciously plan and actively prepare for. The child sees life generally from the perspective of work and defines success as reaching the pinnacle of a chosen career path.

Mentorship

Mentorship is another learning phase where an individual learns the secrets or the unwritten rules of success from a more experienced and successful person, usually in the same field as them. Mentorship is very important because it provides insights and helps one to avoid mistakes that one is vulnerable to as a newbie or starter in a particular field or course of action. Leveraging the learning curve or wealth of experience of more successful individuals gives an edge over others.

Fellowship

Generally, as we go through life, we realise we need to form an alliance or network with some others to achieve a common goal or simply leverage their support to meet our personal aspiration. However, the kinds of friends one keeps or the association one belongs to determine the kind of information one has and the opportunities one is exposed to. Belonging to the right social network provides one with social capital and related privileges to navigate frictions along one’s career path. Social network is essentially driven by economic interest and membership is determined by personal achievements or social status.

Companionship

Love need and the urge to share intimacy often becomes a necessity after being exposed to the hazards or stress of economic struggle. Companionship offers relief to retire to and an emotional support with which to forge ahead. Learning to love and be responsible for others is the thrust of this phase of development. And ideas such as compassion, sacrifice and empathy are well enshrined in one’s philosophy and/or meaning of existence. Companionship prepares ground for procreation, leading to another cycle of social learning.