Social Learning Theory

Jacob Tvedt

Dakota State University

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Social Learning Theory

Social learning is all around us, we look and behave like others. If our friends dress in

sweats and hoodies, you follow along. Students and kids everywhere look to someone to model,

someone to look up to. A student may dress and act like Steph Curry of the Golden State

Warriors because of how he plays and acts on TV. Another student may model someone like

Michelle Obama. Students observe and imitate people, whether they are famous, a friend, parent,

or even a teacher. The social learning theory, is ways in which people learn from observing one

another (Ormrod). The social learning theory covers cognitive processes, as well as modeling,

which has a four-step process, self-efficacy, and self-regulation.

Albert Bandura was born on December 4, 1925, and is still alive today. He received his

B.A. from the University of British Columbia in 1949, and his doctorate from the University of

Iowa in 1952. Bandura has worked with the social learning theory throughout his career. He

believes people acquire behaviors through the observation of others, then imitate what they

have observed (Psychology History). Albert Bandura has a famous experiment with a Bobo

doll. Bandura showed a video to children where they would observe an adult beating up and

calling the Bobo doll names. The children were divided into groups, and each group was shown

the video, but each group had a different ending to the video. The first video had a reward for the

adults behavior, the second video had a punishment for the adults behavior, and the third video

had no consequences. Bandura studied the children and the differences in the encounters they

had with the doll. Those who saw the video where the adult was being rewarded, showed that the

actions duplicated the behaviors. This experiment showed that Banduras argument was

supported, and people learn by observing others.

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Modeling is when people demonstrate a behavior for someone else. When I teach, I want

to be looked at as a role model for kids. The classroom should be a safe environment, and I can

show that by being there for them. I dont want students to be afraid of me, I want them to look

at me as someone they can go to. If students see me bring energy and eagerness to learn, they

will catch that energy and bring it into the classroom. I think a good way to do this is by asking

them what they want to learn at the beginning of a lesson or what they want to get out of the

class. I can try to touch on what students want to learn in hopes that they will be engaged.

Another way of modeling can be done through the four steps of modeling processes.

Banduras four steps to modeling included: attention, retention, motor reproduction, and

motivation. Students must pay attention to learn effectively. Attention is critical for students to

gain information into their memory. Students must pay attention to the model, especially critical

aspects of the modeled behavior. For example, if Jimmy sees another student receive a sucker for

an A on a test, the sucker grabbed Jimmys attention. Second, the learner must remember what

the model does, and this is known as retention. Going back to the example, the student

remembers that if he or she gets an A, theyll receive a sucker. Next, students must be able to

reproduce what they have observed. On a side note, it is very helpful if teachers have their

students imitate a desired behavior after they see it modeled. For instance, when the next spelling

test comes up, the student studies to earn an A for the sucker. Lastly, students must be motivated

to demonstrate the behavior. The student must want to study hard and be motivated to receive a

sucker or an A. If students arent motivated, they simply wont do it.

Self-efficacy is the belief that one is capable of executing certain behaviors or reaching

certain goals. There is high and low self-efficacy. High self-efficacy helps students learn they

are motivated. If a student succeeds at a task, that student is more likely to have high self-
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efficacy. They know that they are capable of certain tasks within the classroom and have

confidence in themselves. Students who have low self-efficacy, are not very confident. There are

students who think they are going to fail, and that they arent capable of succeeding.

Encouragement helps these types of students, because they may be struggling in the classroom.

Encouragement for high self-efficacy students also helps, it keeps them going and motivated.

There is also collective and resilient self-efficacy. Collective self-efficacy is a students

perception of how effectively they can work together and coordinate their own roles and

responsibilities (Ormrod). Working together with other students is great, it brings in new ideas

and strategies others have. In the classroom, it will give students confidence in their work when

working with others. Resilient self-efficacy is the belief that one can perform a task successfully

even after experiencing setbacks (Ormrod). When students persevere through setbacks, I think it

is awesome. Students need encouragement if there is a setback, but they must be motivated to get

through it. I will be with students every step of the way. I want them to achieve, and build their

beliefs, self-efficacy because they play a big role in achieving.

Self-regulation is the process of taking control of, monitoring, and evaluation of ones

own learning and behavior (Ormrod). These types of learners are usually ones who like to do

things on their own. They know what to read, how to use their time, and what resources they

have for studying. Even though they like to do things on their own, they seek guidance. They

seek help and instruction to encourage them learn and work more independently in the future.

Ways to help students with self-regulation in the classroom are described in the book, Essentials

of Educational Psychology. Organize the classroom so students can carry out activities on their

own. Encourage students to assess their own performance and then compare my evaluation, as

the teacher, and the students. The last example is to provide concrete guidance about how to
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learn and study effectively. I am going to use these strategies in the classroom; they will help

students with their performance in the classroom. Along with that, different will also help my

performance. I will be able to see who needs to rely on others, and who doesnt. Working with

self-regulated learners may be difficult and using these strategies will help me see where they are

in class.

Students learn in many different ways, but I think that students learn by observing others.

Whether that be by modeling, self-efficacy, or self-regulation. Albert Bandura believed people

acquire behaviors through the observation of others, then imitate what they have observed

(Psychology History). As I said earlier I want students to see me as a role model, I want them to

imitate me and be a good, eager learner in the world. Students need encouragement, if they dont

understand the material, and if they do too. If students prefer to work alone, Ill try strategies to

help them learn more. Social learning is all around us; students may want to be like someone

famous like Steph Curry or Michelle Obama. Maybe, theyll pick someone such as a friend,

parent, or a teacher.
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Works Cited

Ormrod, J. E. (2012). Essentials of educational psychology: Big ideas to guide effective

teaching (3rd ed.). Boston: Pear.

Psychology History. (2017). Muskingum.edu. Retrieved 9 April 2017, from

http://muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/bandura.htm