Albert Bandura’s social learning theory suggests that
observation and modeling play a primary role in how and why people learn
. Bandura’s theory goes beyond the perception of learning being the result of direct experience with the environment.
Observational learning is a major component of Bandura’s social learning theory. He also emphasized that four conditions were necessary in any form of observing and modeling behavior:
attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation
.
What Is The Main Idea of Social Learning Theory? With the Social Learning Theory, Bandura describes
how people can learn something new by observing the behavior of other people and applying rational mental behavior
. Observational learning is the first step in the social learning process.
For example,
a student might learn something because of their pride
, for a sense of satisfaction, or to fulfill a feeling of accomplishment. This factor of learning intrinsically connects Bandura’s learning theory to those of other cognitive-developmental theories.
Social learning theory examples in everyday life are common, with one of the most evident being
the behaviors of children
, as they imitate family members, friends, famous figures and even television characters. If a child perceives there is a meaningful reward for such behavior, they will perform it at some point.
Bandura identified three basic models of observational learning:
A live model, which involves an actual individual demonstrating or acting
out a behavior. A symbolic model, which involves real or fictional characters displaying behaviors in books, films, television programs, or online media.
Why is Bandura’s theory important?
Bandura’s social learning theory provides
a helpful framework for understanding how an individual learns via observation and modeling
(Horsburgh & Ippolito, 2018). Cognitive processes are central, as learners must make sense of and internalize what they see to reproduce the behavior.
The Social Cognitive Theory is composed of four processes of goal realization:
self-observation, self-evaluation, self-reaction and self-efficacy
(Redmond, 2010). The four components are interrelated and all have an effect on motivation and goal attainment (Redmond, 2010).
Social learning theory, proposed by Albert Bandura, emphasizes the
importance of observing, modelling, and imitating the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others
. Social learning theory considers how both environmental and cognitive factors interact to influence human learning and behavior.
Is Albert Bandura Still Alive 2020?
| Albert Bandura OC | Died July 26, 2021 (aged 95) Stanford, California, U.S. | Nationality Canadian American | Alma mater University of British Columbia University of Iowa |
|---|
One limitation of the social learning theory is that
it’s criticised for being reductionist
, as it only accounts for environmental factors that are involved in learning behaviour, and neglects other factors that could be involved for example, biological factors, therefore the social learning theory may not be provide a …
Social learning theory is a theory of learning process and social behavior which proposes that new behaviors can be acquired by observing and imitating others. … In addition to the observation of behavior,
learning also occurs through the observation of rewards and punishments
, a process known as vicarious reinforcement.
Social learning theory is
a useful tool for social workers to employ when assessing and assisting clients
. This theory can often help identify and treat the identifiable cause of certain behaviors.
Some benefits of social learning include:
Increased engagement across disengaged learners
. Students developing self organisation skills. Encouraged collaboration.
Social Learning Theory was founded by Albert Bandura (1977), which is the idea that people learn from each other. This is done through ‘
imitation, observation and modelling
. ‘ The importance of social learning theory is analysed by Bandura, looking at how children learn from watching those around them.
Attention
We cannot learn if we are not focused on the task
. If we see something as being novel or different in some way, we are more likely to make it the focus of their attention. Social contexts help to reinforce these perceptions.
