Social Learning Theory

Introduction

The social learning theory of Bandura focuses on the learning that occurs within a social context.

It considers that people learn from one another, including such concepts as observational learning, imitation, and modeling (Abbott)

Introduction

Social learning theory emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others

Basic social learning concepts

1. Observational Learning:

People can learn through observation

Observational Learning

In a famous and influential experiment known as the Bobo doll experiment, Albert Bandura and his colleagues were able to demonstrate one of the ways in which children learn aggression.

The experiment involved exposing children to two different adult models; an aggressive model and a non-aggressive one.

After witnessing the adult's behavior, the children would then be placed in a room without the model and were observed to see if they would imitate the behavior they had witnessed earlier.

Method

The participants were 36 boys and 36 girls The children ranged in age between 3 and almost 6 years Out of the participants, 24 were assigned to a control

group that received no treatment, 24 participants were exposed to aggressive models, while the other 24 children were exposed to non-aggressive models.

Finally, these groups were divided again into groups of boys and girls. Each of these groups was then divided so that half of the participants were exposed to a same-sex adult model and the other half was exposed to an opposite-sex adult model.

Results

Children exposed to the violent model tended to imitate the exact behavior they had observed when the adult was no longer present.

Bandura and his colleagues had also predicted that children in the non-aggressive group would behave less aggressively than those in the control group.

The researchers were also correct in their prediction that boys would behave more aggressively than girls. Boys engaged in more than twice as many acts of aggression than the girls.

Results

Boys who observed an adult male behaving violently were more influenced than those who had observed a female model behavior aggressively.

Interestingly, the experimenters found in the same-sex aggressive groups, boys were more likely to imitate physical acts of violence while girls were more likely to imitate verbal aggression.

The Bobo Doll experiment Bandura and his colleagues

believed that the experiment demonstrates how specific behaviors can be learned through observation and imitation.

In a follow-up study conducted in 1965, Bandura found that children were more likely to imitate aggressive behavior if the adult model was rewarded for his or her actions

They were far less likely to imitate if they saw the adult model being punished or reprimanded for their hostile behavior.

Several studies involving television commercials and videos containing violent scenes have supported this theory of modeling.

Albert Bandura believed television was a source of behavior modeling.

Basic social learning concepts

2. Intrinsic Reinforcement: Mental states are important to learning

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Basic social learning concepts

3. The Modelling Process:

Learning does not necessarily lead to a change in behaviour.

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Models of observational learning

• A live model, which involves an actual individual demonstrating or acting out a behaviour.

Models of observational learning

• A verbal instructional model, which involves descriptions and explanations of a behaviour.

Models of observational learning

• A symbolic model, which involves real or fictional characters displaying behaviours in books, films, television programs, or online media.

Elements of Observational Learning

1. Attention In order to learn through observation, we

have to pay attention. In teaching, you will have to ensure students’

attention to the critical features of the lesson by making clear presentations and highlighting important points.

Elements of Observational Learning

2. Retention In order to imitate the behavior of a model,

you have to remember it. Retention can be improved by mental

rehearsal or by actual practice.

Elements of Observational Learning

3. ReproductionOnce we “know” how a behavior should look

and remember the elements or steps, we still may not perform it smoothly.

In the production phase, practice makes the behavior smoother and more expert.

Elements of Observational Learning

4. Motivation and Reinforcement We may acquire a new skill or behavior

through observation, but we may not perform that behavior until there is some motivation or incentive to do so.

If we anticipate being reinforced for imitating the actions of a model, we may be more motivated to pay attention, remember, and reproduce the behaviors.

Thought for the day