SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

BY ALBERT BANDURA

Marianne O. Antonio
Liberty A. Alvior
(Reporter)
 ALBERT BANDURA

is a Canadian-American psychologist and
originator of social cognitive theory who is
probably best known for his modeling study
on aggression, referred to as the “Bobo Doll”
experiment, which demonstrated that children
can learn behaviour through the observation of
adults
 BIOGRAPHY
 Born on December  Graduates in 1949
4, 1925 in a small from the University
town called Mudare of British Columbia
in Northern
Alberta, Canada
 He was the
youngest and only
boy of six children
• He is known as the originator of 
social learning theory (renamed the social
cognitive theory) and the theoretical
construct of self-efficacy, and is also
responsible for the influential 1961 Bobo
doll experiment.

 This Bobo doll experiment demonstrated

the concept of observational learning.
“BOBO DOLL”
 There are were different variations of the
experiment which the most notable one was se
the adults getting rewarded,get punished, or
experience no consequence for beating the Bobo
Doll.
 These experiment all contributed to Bandura’s
Social Learning Theory.
 The Social Learning Theory claims that people
learn through observing, imitating and modeling.
 It shows that people learn through other ways
than being rewarded or punished. It can also be
done through seeing someone be rewarded or
punished.
 Bandura has been responsible for
contributions to the field of education and
to several fields of psychology, including 
• social cognitive theory

• therapy

• personality psychology, and was also

of influence in the transition between 

behaviorism and cognitive psychology
.
INTRODUCTION OF THE THEORY
• Social Learning Theory, theorized
by Albert Bandura, posits that people learn
from one another, via observation, imitation,
and modeling.

• The theory has often been called a bridge

between behaviorist and cognitive learning
theories because it encompasses attention,
memory, and motivation.
 Itexplains human behaviour in terms of
continuous reciprocal interaction between
cognitive, behavioural, and environmental
influences.

 The incorporated social aspect of this

theory is known as “Observational
Learning or Modeling” as people have the
ability to learn by simply watching other

 Social Learning Theory: Understanding

Bandura’s Theory of learning) Found
within the Social Learning Theory lies
 3 MAIN CONCEPT OF
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
1st , as previously mentioned is the notion
that individuals have the ability to learn
through observation

2nd , that mental states are a fundamental

part of this process

3rd, the theory alleges that when something

is learned this does not always follow by a
chance in behaviour
 Itis evident that internal thoughts and
cognitions assist to connect learning
theories with cognitive developmental
theories.
 Bandura suggested that his concept be
considered as a “Social Cognitive Theory”
 Observational Learning considers that
individuals are able to learn adequately.
 Specific factors influence the success of
learning and it is the following steps that
determine the observational learning and
modelling process.
 CONTENT OF THE THEORY
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
 Emphasizes the importance of observing and
modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional
reactions of others.
 Bandura states “Learning would be exceedingly
laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people
had to inform them what to do.
 Social Learning Theory explains human
behaviour in terms of continuous reciprocal
interaction between cognitive, behavioural and
environmental influences.
PROCESS UNDERLYING OBSERVATIONAL
LEARNING ARE:

1. ATTENTION
• In order to learn through observation,

we should pay attention

2. RETENTION
In order to imitate the behaviour of a
model, you have to remember it.
Retention can be improved by mental
rehearsal or by actual practice.
3. MOTOR REPRODUCTION
• Following attention and retention comes the time
to reproduce assist with the improvement of
skills.
• Including physical capabilities, self-observation
of reproduction, accuracy of feedback

4. MOTIVATION
 The individual must be motivated to repeat the
learned behavior. Reinforcement and punishment
influence assist to influence this step as it acts to
either encourage or deter the individual from
having the motivation to repeat the modeled
behavior.
 Becauseit encompasses attention, memory
and motiation, social learning teory spans
both cognitive and behavioral frameworks.

 Bandura’sTheory improves upon the strictlt

behavioral interpretation of modeling
provided by Miller & Dollard

 Bandura’s work is related to the Theories of

Vygotsy and Lave which also emphasize the
central role of Social Learning.
APPLICATION
 Social Learning Theory has been applied
extensively to the understanding of aggression
(Bandura 1973) and psychological disorders,
particularly in the context of behavior
modification.
 It is also the Theoretical Foundation for the
technique of behavior modeling which is widely
used in training programs.
 In recent years, Bandura has focused his work on
the concept of self-efficacy in a variety of cotext.
EXAMPLE
 The most common example of Social Learning
Situation are television commercials.
 Commercials suggest that drinking a certain
beverage or using a particular hair shampoo will
make us popular and win the admiration of
attractive people.
 Depending upon the component process involved
(such as attention or motivation), We may model
the behavior shown in the commercial and buy
the product being advertised.
PRINCIPLES
• People can learn by observing the
behaviour of others and the outcome of
those behaviours.

• Learning can occur without a change in

behaviour.

• Cognition plays a role in learning.

SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY
 Social Cognitive Theory
The formulation of Social Learning
Theory that has been best articulated by
Bandura, explains human behavior in terms
of a three-way, dynamic, reciprocal model
in which personal factors, environmental
influences, and behavior continually interact
SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY
SUMMARY
 Because it encompasses attention, memory
and motivation, social learning theory
spans both cognitive and behavioural
frameworks.
 Banduras Theory improves upon the
strictly behavioural interpretation of
modeling provided by miller & dollard
 Banduras
 Key construct of Social Cognitive Theory
that are relevant to health behavior change
interventions include:

Observational Learning
Reinforcement

Self-Control

Sel- Efficacy
 REFERENCES
 Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. New York:
General Learning Press.
 Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
 Bandura, A. (1973). Aggression: A Social Learning Analysis.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
 Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New
York: W.H. Freeman.
 Bandura, A. (1969). Principles of Behavior Modification. New
York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
 Bandura, A. & Walters, R. (1963). Social Learning and
Personality Development. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.