Social Learning

Theory
Albert
Bandura
Prepared by:
Henrick Chase L. Daan
Deian Cristel A. Rivera
 Biography
Born on 04 December 1925 in Alberta, Canada
Youngest & only boy of six children
Graduated in 1949 from the University of British
Columbia with a degree in Psychology
PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of
Iowa in 1952
1974: He was chosen as the President of the
American Psychological Association.
Social Learning
Theory
Also called observational learning
Theory that emphasizes learning
through observation
We learn not only how to perform a
behaviour but also what will happen
to us in a specific situation if we do
perform it
Social Learning
Theory
 Bandura is known for his “Bobo doll”
experiment
 People learn through observation,
simulation, modeling which means
watching (observing), another called a
model and later imitating the model’s
behavior.
 Concentrates on the power of example
STOP & THINK???

Does the violence being observed

by the child on the television,
movies & video games leads him
to behave aggressively?
 Bobo Doll Experiment

AIM
-to investigate if social behaviors (i.e., aggression) can be acquired by
observation and imitation.
Aggresion - hostile or violent behavior or attitudes toward another;
readiness to attack or confront
METHOD (manipulated in 3 conditions)
 Aggressive model is shown to 24 children
 Non-aggressive model is shown to 24 children
 No model shown (control condition) is shown to 24 children
Bobo Doll Experiment
 Bobo Doll Experiment

RESULTS
-Children who observed the aggressive model made far more
imitative aggressive responses than those who were in the non-
aggressive or control group.

-There was more partial and non-imitative aggression among

those children who had observed aggressive behavior, although
the difference for non-imitative aggression was small.
 Bobo Doll Experiment

CONCLUSION

-Children learn social behaviour such as aggression through the

process of observation learning - through watching the behaviour
of another person.

-This study has important implications for the effects of media

violence on children.
 Bobo Doll Experiment

EVALUATION

-Experiments are the only means by which cause and effect

can be established.
-It allows for precise control of variables.
-Experiments can be replicated.
 Bobo Doll Experiment

LIMITATIONS
-Many psychologists are very critical of laboratory studies of imitation
- in particular because they tend to have low ecological validity.
-Cumberbatch (1990) found that children who had not played with a
Bobo Doll before were five times as likely to imitate the aggressive
behavior than those who were familiar with it.
-A further criticism of the study is that the demonstrations are
measured almost immediately.
-It is possible to argue that the experiment was unethical.
3 Basic Models of Observational
Learning
1. LIVE/ REAL LIFE MODELS
- an actual individual demonstrating or acting out a behavior.
- exemplified by teachers, parents and significant others
2. SYMBOLIC MODELS
- presented through oral/ written symbols
3. REPRESENTATIONAL MODELS
- presented through audio-visual measures
Phases/Process of Observational Learning Theory
 Phases/Process of
Observational Learning
Theory
1. ATTENTION
For learning to occur, people must be
focused/concentrated

*Models should be noticeable enough for the observer to

focus on learning a specific task.
*Mere exposure does not ensure acquisition of behavior.
Observer must attend to recognize the distinctive features
of the model’s response.
*In teaching, ensure students’ attention to critical feature
of the lesson by making clear presentation & highlighting
important points.
 Phases/Process of
Observational Learning
Theory
2. RETENTION
-reproduction of the desired behavior implies that
student symbolically retains that observed
behavior
-to encode the behavior in the memory
-ability to store information or to remember it

*It can be through verbal or imagination

 Phases/Process of
Observational Learning
Theory
3. MOTOR REPRODUCTION
-after observation, physical skills and coordination
are needed for reproduction of the behavior learned
-to actually perform the behavior observed
-to reproduce/ to rehearse

*Practice makes the behavior smoother & more

expert
 Phases/Process of
Observational Learning
Theory
4. MOTIVATION
-although observer acquires and retains ability to perform the
modeled behavior, there will be no overt performance unless
conditions are favorable
-the will to perform the behaviour.
-to have the most success for any observational learning, you need
to be motivated enough to imitate the behavior that was modeled.

*Without the motivation, the individual will not want to produce the
learned behavior.
 FORMS OF
REINFORCEMENT
1. DIRECT REINFORCEMENT

-Occurs when an individual watches a

model perform, imitates that behavior
and is reinforced or punished by some
individual.
 FORMS OF
REINFORCEMENT
2. VICARIOUS REINFORCEMENT

-A person learns by observing the

consequences of another person's
behavior.
 FORMS OF
REINFORCEMENT
3. SELF REINFORCEMENT

-is a process whereby individuals

control their own behavior by
rewarding themselves when a certain
standard of performance has been
attained or surpassed.
How can it be applied to
education?
– Social modelling is a very powerful method of
education. If children see positive
consequences from a particular type of
behavior, they are more likely to repeat that
behavior themselves.
– Conversely, if negative consequences are the
result, they are less likely to perform that
behavior. Novel and unique contexts often
capture students’ attention, and can stand out
in the memory.
PROS:

Provides insight into how people learn from others and provides
ideas for including effective elements into your scenarios.

CONS:

Not a model for how everyone might behave, more of a guide

that can predict behavior.
Thank you…