Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory

 Bandura – direct reinforcement could
not account for all types of learning
 Bandura Theory added that a social
element which arguing that people
learn new information and behaviors by
watching other people (observational
learning)
Basic Social Learning Concepts
 People can learn through observation
 Mental states are important to learning
- external, enviromental reinforcement
was not the only factor to influence
learning and behavior
- Intrinsic reinforcement as internal
reward (pride, satisfaction) and sense
of accomplishment
Basic Social Learning Concepts
 Learning does not necessarily lead to
change in behavior
- Not all observed behaviors are
effectively learned
- The model and learner can play a role
in social learning
Steps involved in observations learning
and modeling process:
 Pay attention

 Retention – ability to store information

 Reproduction – perform the behavior

observed
 Motivation – motivated to imitate
the behavior that has been
modeled
- reinforcement and
punishment play role in motivation
Effects of modeling on
behavior
 Teaches new behavior
 Influences the frequency of previous
learned behaviors
 Encourage previous forbidden behavior
 Increase frequency of similar behaviors
General principles of social learning
theory (Ormrod J. E., 1999)

 People learn by observing

 Learning can occur without a change in
behavior
 Cognition plays a role in learning
How reinforces and punishes modeling

 Observer reinforced by the model

 Observer reinforced by third person
 Imitated behavior itself leads to
reinforcing consequences
 Consequences of the model’s behavior
affect the observers behavior vicariously
Contemporary social learning perspective
of reinforcement and punishment

 Reinforcement and punishment have

indirect effects on learning
 Influence an individual exhibits a
behavior that has been learned
 Influences cognitive processes that
promote learning
Education implications of
social learning theory:
 Students learn great deal by observing
other people
 Increase appropriate behaviors
 Modeling shaping for teaching new
behavior
 Teacher/parents model appropriate
behavior
Education implications of
social learning theory:
 Teachers should expose students to variety of
other modelss
 Students must believe that they are capable
of accomplishing school tasks
 Teacher helps students to set realistic
expectations for their academic
accomplishments
 Self-regulation – improve students behavior