Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionThree Core ConceptsKey Factors For SuccessApplicationsFinal Thoughts
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Definition
Three Core Concepts
Key Factors For Success
Applications
Final Thoughts
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The theory suggests that learning occurs because people observe the consequences of other people’s behaviors. Bandura’s theory moves beyondbehavioral theories, which suggest that all behaviors are learned through conditioning, and cognitive theories, which consider psychological influences such as attention and memory.
1:42Basic Principles of Social Learning Theory
1:42
Basic Principles of Social Learning Theory
What Is Social Learning Theory?
During the first half of the 20th century, the behavioral school of psychology became a dominant force. The behaviorists proposed that all learning was a result of direct experience with the environment through the processes ofassociationandreinforcement.Bandura’s theory believed that direct reinforcement couldnotaccount for all types of learning.
For example, children and adults often exhibit learning for things with which they have no direct experience. Even if you have never swung a baseball bat in your life, you would probably know what to do if someone handed you a bat and told you to try to hit a baseball. This is because you have seen others perform this action either in person or on television.
Recap
What Is Observational Learning?
Core Concepts of Social Learning Theory
There are three core concepts at the heart of social learning theory. First is the idea that people can learn through observation. Next is the notion that internal mental states are an essential part of this process. Finally, this theory recognizes that just because something has been learned, it does not mean that it will result in a change in behavior.
Let’s explore each of these concepts in greater depth.
People Can Learn Through Observation
One of the best-known experiments in the history of psychology involveda doll named Bobo. Bandura demonstrated that children learn and imitate behaviors they have observed in other people.
The children in Bandura’s studies observed an adult acting violently toward a Bobo doll. When the children were later allowed to play in a room with the Bobo doll, they began to imitate the aggressive actions they had previously observed.
Bandura identified three basic models of observational learning:A live modelinvolves an actual individual demonstrating or acting out a behavior.A symbolic modelinvolves real or fictional characters displaying behaviors in books, films, television programs, or online media.A verbal instructional modelinvolves descriptions and explanations of a behavior.
Bandura identified three basic models of observational learning:
It is this type of observational learning that has become a lightning rod for controversy as parents and psychologists debate the impact that pop culture media has on kids. Many worry that kids can learn bad behaviors such as aggression from violent video games, movies, television programs, and online videos.
Mental States Are Important to Learning
Bandura noted that external and environmentalreinforcementwere not the only factors influencing learning and behavior. He also realized that reinforcement does not always come from outside sources.
One’s own mental state and motivation play an important role in determining whether a behavior is learnedor not.
He describedintrinsic reinforcementas a form of internal rewards, such as pride, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment.This emphasis on internal thoughts and cognitions helps connect learning theories to cognitive developmental theories. While many textbooks place social learning theory with behavioral theories, Bandura himself describes his approach as a ‘social cognitive theory.’
Learning Does Not Necessarily Lead to Change
But sometimes, we are able to learn things even though that learning might not be immediately obvious. While behaviorists believed that learning led to a permanent change in behavior, observational learning demonstrates that people can learn new information without demonstrating new behaviors.
Verywell / JR Bee
Key Factors for Social Learning Success
It is important to note that not all observed behaviors are effectively learned. Why not? Factors involving both the model and the learner can play a role in whether social learning is successful. Certain requirements and steps must also be followed.
The following steps are involved in the observational learning and modeling process:
Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others, one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions, this coded information serves as a guide for action.—ALBERT BANDURA - 1977
Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others, one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions, this coded information serves as a guide for action.
—ALBERT BANDURA - 1977
Read More Great Quotes From Albert Bandura
Real-World Applications for Social Learning Theory
Social learning theory can have a number of real-world applications. For example, it can be used to help researchers understand how aggression and violence might be transmitted through observational learning. By studying media violence, researchers can gain a better understanding of the factors that might lead children to act out the aggressive actions they see portrayed on television and in the movies.
But social learning can also be utilized to teach people positive behaviors. Researchers can use social learning theory to investigate and understand ways that positive role models can be used to encourage desirable behaviors and to facilitate social change.
In addition to influencing other psychologists, Bandura’s social learning theory has had important implications in the field of education. Today, both teachers and parents recognize how important it is to model appropriate behaviors. Other classroom strategies such as encouraging children and buildingself-efficacyare also rooted in social learning theory.
As Bandura observed, life would be incredibly difficult and even dangerous if you had to learn everything you know from personal experience. Observing others plays a vital role in acquiring new knowledge and skills. By understanding how social learning theory works, you can gain a greater appreciation for the powerful role that observation plays in shaping the things we know and the things we do.
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6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hammer TR.Social Learning Theory. In: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA.Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development.Springer; 2011. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2695Overskeid G.Do we need the environment to explain operant behavior?Front Psychol.2018;9:373. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00373Fryling MJ, Johnston C, Hayes LJ.Understanding observational learning: An interbehavioral approach.Anal Verbal Behav.2011;27(1):191-203. doi:10.1007/bf03393102Nguyen Do LLT.Bobo doll experiment. In: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA.Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development.Springer; 2011. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_379Bajcar EA, Bąbel P.How does observational learning produce placebo effects? A model integrating research findings.Front Psychol.2018;9:2041. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02041Cook DA, Artino AR.Motivation to learn: An overview of contemporary theories.Med Educ.2016;50(10):997-1014. doi:10.1111/medu.13074Additional ReadingBandura A.Social Learning Theory. Prentice-Hall; 1977
6 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hammer TR.Social Learning Theory. In: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA.Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development.Springer; 2011. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2695Overskeid G.Do we need the environment to explain operant behavior?Front Psychol.2018;9:373. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00373Fryling MJ, Johnston C, Hayes LJ.Understanding observational learning: An interbehavioral approach.Anal Verbal Behav.2011;27(1):191-203. doi:10.1007/bf03393102Nguyen Do LLT.Bobo doll experiment. In: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA.Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development.Springer; 2011. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_379Bajcar EA, Bąbel P.How does observational learning produce placebo effects? A model integrating research findings.Front Psychol.2018;9:2041. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02041Cook DA, Artino AR.Motivation to learn: An overview of contemporary theories.Med Educ.2016;50(10):997-1014. doi:10.1111/medu.13074Additional ReadingBandura A.Social Learning Theory. Prentice-Hall; 1977
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hammer TR.Social Learning Theory. In: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA.Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development.Springer; 2011. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2695Overskeid G.Do we need the environment to explain operant behavior?Front Psychol.2018;9:373. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00373Fryling MJ, Johnston C, Hayes LJ.Understanding observational learning: An interbehavioral approach.Anal Verbal Behav.2011;27(1):191-203. doi:10.1007/bf03393102Nguyen Do LLT.Bobo doll experiment. In: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA.Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development.Springer; 2011. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_379Bajcar EA, Bąbel P.How does observational learning produce placebo effects? A model integrating research findings.Front Psychol.2018;9:2041. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02041Cook DA, Artino AR.Motivation to learn: An overview of contemporary theories.Med Educ.2016;50(10):997-1014. doi:10.1111/medu.13074
Hammer TR.Social Learning Theory. In: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA.Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development.Springer; 2011. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2695
Overskeid G.Do we need the environment to explain operant behavior?Front Psychol.2018;9:373. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00373
Fryling MJ, Johnston C, Hayes LJ.Understanding observational learning: An interbehavioral approach.Anal Verbal Behav.2011;27(1):191-203. doi:10.1007/bf03393102
Nguyen Do LLT.Bobo doll experiment. In: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA.Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development.Springer; 2011. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_379
Bajcar EA, Bąbel P.How does observational learning produce placebo effects? A model integrating research findings.Front Psychol.2018;9:2041. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02041
Cook DA, Artino AR.Motivation to learn: An overview of contemporary theories.Med Educ.2016;50(10):997-1014. doi:10.1111/medu.13074
Bandura A.Social Learning Theory. Prentice-Hall; 1977
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