Social Learning Theory

Lauren Adams
EPSY-302 Educational Psychology

There are many learning theories that have great characteristics to them for
teaching and learning. I chose to write upon social learning theory, a theory that uses
observation and instruction to categorize peoples behavior. I believe that a person learns
a great deal form personal experiences and observation; a persons learning ability is
shaped.
Albert Bandura came up with the concept of social learning theory; which states
that learning is a cognitive process that takes place in a social context and can occur
purely through observation or direct instruction, even in the absence of motor
reproduction or direct reinforcement. Social learning theory integrated behavioral and
cognitive theories of learning in order to provide a comprehensive model that could
account for the wide range of learning experiences that occur in the real world
(Wikipedia).
There are quite a few factors and sub factors that go into the process of social
learning theory. Observational learning is most effective when there is a live model,
which involves an actual individual demonstrating or acting out a behavior, a verbal
instruction model, which involves descriptions and explanations of a behavior, and finally
a symbolic model, which involves real or fictional character displaying behaviors in
books, films, television programs, or online media (Interpersonal-Social Learning).
In addition to external environmental reinforcement, Bandura acknowledge
intrinsic reinforcement, which include pride and sense of accomplishment both as a form
of reward. Bandura understood that not all observed behavior would be retained; the
modeling process has factors involved in the observational process. First there is
attention, to learn you must pay attention, the more something appeals to you the more

attention you are willing to give therefore learning more. The next factor is retention, the
ability to store information is part of the learning process, being able to pull up
information later and act on it is a major aspect of observational learning. Reproduction is
when you have enough information to replicate the action but it may require great
amounts of practice to master. The final factor is motivation, for observational learning to
be effective; the learner must be motivated to imitate the learned behavior. Reinforcement
and punishment may be beneficial to achieve this final step, these external motivators can
be effective but witnessing them may be simply enough (Interpersonal-Social Learning).
Social learning theory provides a strong base for classroom interactions designed
to improve a students learning, its a great tool to have present in the classroom and has
great benefits as stated in the following passage,
ThemostbasicinstructionalimplicationofSCTisthatstudentsshouldbe
providedfrequentaccesstomodelsoftheknowledge,skills,andbehaviorsthey
areexpectedtolearn.Forexample,teachersshouldmodelthebehaviorsand
cognitiveprocessestheywantstudentstolearn.Effectiveinstruction,moreover,
shouldincludemultipletypesofmodels(e.g.,teacher,peers,parents)andvarious
formsofmodeling(e.g.cognitive,verbal,mastery,coping).Theinhibitoryand
disinhibitoryeffectsofmodeling,further,necessitatethateducatorsadminister
rewardsandpunishmentsinacarefulandconsistentmanner(Denler,Wolters,
Benzon).
Throughusingsociallearningtheoryintheclassroom,astudentshouldseethatlearning
andthenthedemonstrationofthatlearningleadstovaluedandimportantoutcomes.Real
worldapplicationsarehugewhenitcomestosociallearningtheory,studentsneedto

believethatwiththesuccessfulcompletionoflearningtaskscreatesmeaningful,useful,
orworthyoutcome(Denler,Wolters,Benzon).
Whenastudenthasconfidenceaboutcompletingatasksuccessfullytheyare
moreactive,effortfulandeffectivelearners.Teachersneedtodesigninstructionsothat
studentshavetheabilitytobesuccessfulandgainconfidencewhilecompletingatask.
Teachersshouldensurethatstudentshavetheprerequisiteknowledgeand
strategiesneededtobesuccessfulatmorecomplexandrigoroustasks.Inthis
way,studentswilldevelopapatternofsuccessthatfosterspositivelevelsofself
efficacy.Selfefficacycanalsobeimprovedwhenstudentsareexposedtopeer
modelswhoinitiallystrugglebutwhoultimatelyareabletocompletetasks
effectively(i.e.,copingmodels).Finally,teacherscanmakedirectstatementsto
learnersormodelsasawaytoboosttheirconfidence.Suchstatements,however,
mustbecredibleortheywillbediscountedorignoredbylearners.(Denler,
Wolters,Benzon)
Educatorsandparentsofstudentshaveabigtaskofmakingsurethatstudentsare
receivinggoodexamplesoflearningbothatschoolandathometoensurethattheyare
gettingthebestpossibleexamplestolearnfrom.
Havingclearandattainablegoalsintheclassroomalsopromotesthewantand
driveforstudentstolearnintheclassroom.Goalsaregoodincentivesforstudentsto
workhardtowardthatgoalandtodothebesttheycan,forexample,ifastudenthasthe
goalofgettingstraightAsinordertohaveagoodGPAforcollegeisagoodfuturegoal
forthatstudenttoworktowards,workinghardtogetstraightAsthroughoutschool.

Bothshorttermandlongtermgoalsaregreatforstudentstohave,shorttermwouldbe
gettingagoodgradeonanupcomingtestandlongtermwouldbegettingintothecollege
oftheirdreams.Goodinstructionshouldhelpstudentscreatetheirownacademicgoals
(Denler,Wolters,Benzon).
Therearemanyfactorsandstepsthatgointopromotingsociallearningtheory,
manyclassroomandathomeexperiencescanshapehowastudentlearnsandareableto
regulatehimselforherselfinanacademicsetting.SociallearningtheoryisthetheoryI
relatedtobecauseIbelievethatthroughgoodeducatorsandgreatathomesupport,ithas
shapedhowIlearnandteachasapersontoday.Observationisatoolthatiscontrolledby
oneselfandwithproperobservingandlearningthepossibilitiesforsomeoneareendless.

WorksCited

HeidiDenler,ChristopherWolters,andMariaBenzon."SocialCognitive
Theory."SocialCognitiveTheory.TheGaleGroupInc,n.d.Web.05

Apr.2015.

"InterpersonalSocialLearning."ClassroomAssessmentTheoryinto
Practice.N.p.,n.d.Web.05Apr.2015.

"SocialLearningTheory."Wikipedia.WikimediaFoundation,n.d.Web.05
Apr.2015.