Kaelynne M.

*The Social Learning Theory

Albert Bandura Born in Alberto, Canada

in 1925

He graduated with a B.A. from the University of British Colombia, and from the University of Iowa with a M.A. and Ph.D.

In 1953 Bandura accepted a teaching position at Stanford University, where he continues to teach today

Social Learning Theory Introduction

“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

Bandura believed in “reciprocal determination,” which states that a world and an individual’s behavior have direct affects on each other.

The Social Learning Theory Origins

Bandura conducted what came to be known as the “Bobo Doll Experiment”:

Young children were placed in a room full of toys, where they witnessed an adult acting aggressively towards a Bobo Doll. When the children were left alone they displayed similar behaviors towards the Bobo Doll.

This was the basis of the Social Learning Theory, which essentially states that people can learn by watching other people. It is also important to note that this learning will not necessarily change an individual’s behavior.

Three Models of Observational

Learning

The “Live Model:” A person performs a behavior.

The “Verbal Instruction Model:” The learner is verbally told of the behavior.

The “Symbolic Model:” The learner is told through a fictional or non-fictional character who exemplifies the behavior.

Conditions for Good Modeling and

LearningAttention: The amount of

attention from the learner can increase or decrease capacity to learn.

Retention: The learner recalling what he or she learned.

Reproduction: The learner’s ability to reproduce the image.

Motivation: The learners ability to feel motivated to reproduce the image or behavior.

The Mental Side “Intrinsic

“Reinforcement”: when internal rewards were at stake, individuals were more motivated to learn. This connects directly to cognitive developmental theories.

Learning does not always indicate a change in behavior. Just because someone learns something, it does not automatically cause them to alter their behavior.

Sources Citedhttp://www.learning-theories.com/social-learning-theory-

bandura.html

http://explorable.com/social-learning-theory

http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/a/sociallearning.htm