Social Learning Theory

Bandura is well-known for his social learning theory, which stands apart from other learning theories that emphasize conditioning, reinforcement, and punishment as the primary drivers of learning. Bandura posits that much of human behavior is acquired through observation, imitation, and modeling.

Bandura's Social Learning Theory focuses on the impact of observation on learning, including live, verbal, and symbolic forms of observation. One of his famous studies involved children observing adults behaving aggressively towards a doll and then imitating that behavior when allowed to interact with the dolls.

Bandura broadened the concept of "observation" to include not only live models but also verbal instructional models, where specific explanations and descriptions were presented to the observers.

Bandura is well-known for his social learning theory, which differs from other learning theories that focus on conditioning, reinforcement, and punishment as the main drivers of learning. Bandura suggests that a lot of human behavior is acquired through observation, imitation, and modeling.

Bandura's Social Learning Theory emphasizes the impact of observation on learning, including live, verbal, and symbolic forms of observation. One of his famous studies involved children observing adults behaving aggressively towards a doll and then imitating that behavior when given the opportunity to interact with the dolls.

Bandura expanded the concept of "observation" to include not only live models but also verbal instructional models, where specific explanations and descriptions were presented to the observers. He also studied “symbolic” models, where characters in movies, television programs, online media, and books could lead to learning.

Learning Does Not Always Lead to Behavioral Change

Behaviorists argue that learning leads to a permanent change in behavior. However, Bandura showed that observational learning can occur without the learner demonstrating any new behavior. He explored what needs to happen for an observable behavior to be learned (in addition to observation) and cited four necessary steps: attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.

Observation + 4 Necessary Steps = Learning

Attention: The learner needs to pay attention. If they are distracted, this will influence the amount or quality of learning. Additionally, the more interesting or unique the model or situation is, the more thoroughly the learner will attend to the learning.

Retention: Storing the learned information is essential. Memory techniques and applying the learning to real-life situations can aid retention.

Reproduction: After paying attention and retaining information, the learner moves toward performing the observable behavior. Further practice improves and sharpens skills.

Motivation: The learner needs to be motivated enough to imitate the modeled behavior to succeed most in observational learning. Both reinforcement and punishment impact motivation. If a student sees someone being rewarded, they are more likely to continue the behavior. Similarly, they may extinguish the behavior if they see someone punished or ignored.

What are the implications of Social Learning Theory?

This theory can be used to teach positive behaviors to students. Teachers can use positive role models to increase desired behaviors and change a school's culture. Not only will individual students benefit from positive role models in and out of the classroom, but the entire class and student body will also benefit.

Other classroom strategies, such as encouraging children and building self-efficacy, are rooted in social learning theory. For example, when a teacher is positive with their students and encourages them, this positive energy and verbal encouragement help build self-efficacy, the belief in one’s abilities to succeed in various situations. Bandura found that a person’s self-efficacy impacts how they approach tasks, goals, and challenges. Individuals with self-efficacy view challenges as tasks to master, develop a deep interest in their activities, form a solid commitment to activities and interests, and bounce back from disappointments and setbacks quickly. However, those with a weaker sense of self-efficacy tend to avoid challenges, think complex tasks and situations are beyond their abilities, think negatively about their failures and outcomes, and lose confidence quickly.

Furthermore, Bandura states that learning everything from personal experience is challenging and potentially dangerous. He claims that much of a person’s life is rooted in social experiences, so observing others is naturally advantageous for gaining knowledge and skills.

In conclusion, observation plays a compelling role in learning. It helps students successfully understand, retain, and apply their learning to their lives so they can learn and achieve even more. We thank Albert Bandura for contributing to Social Learning Theory.