Social Learning Theory
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Context: Behaviorism
• Declaration of Behaviorism:
The goal of psychology
should be to predict and
control overt behavior
(Watson, 1913)
• Law of effect: Responses
followed by positive
outcomes are repeated
while those followed by
negative outcomes are not
• Operant Conditioning:
People learn to behave in
ways that result in
reinforcement
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Social Learning Theory
•
•
•
•
Albert Bandura
Read biology but took intro
to psych to fill his morning
hours
PhD from the University of
Iowa, the home of
behaviorism
Paid for grad school by
doing home repairs for his
advisor
Neobehaviorist
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Social Learning Theory
• Observational Learning: People learn by
observing others’ behavior and the outcomes of
their behavior
• Socialization: Process by which society teaches
children to behave like the ideal adults of the
society
– One of the most powerful socialization forces is
observational learning
– Children learn to behave like others in their culture
because observed behaviors will likely be reinforced
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Social Learning vs. Behaviorism
•
•
•
•
Behaviorism
Learning occurs via
reinforcement
Learned behaviors must
be demonstrated
Behaviors must be
personally reinforced to
be learned
Consequences strengthen
or weaken behavior
•
•
•
•
Social Learning
Learning is affected by
social influences
Learned behaviors can
be acquired knowledge
People can learn
through the
reinforcement of others
Consequences provide
information about the
social acceptability of
behavior
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Social Learning
• Types of reinforcement
– Direct: Environment reinforces the child
– Vicarious: The child observes the environment
reinforcing another person
– Self: The child reinforces themself
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Observational Learning
•
Four elements must be met for a child to
learn a behavior through observational
learning:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pay attention to the model
Retain information about the behavior
Produce the behavior
Be motivated to repeat the behavior
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Observational Learning Process
Attention
T
•Task complexity
•Model relevance
•Repetition
S
•Attention skills
•Cognitive skills
•Interest
Retention
•Reminders
•Cognitive skills
•Visual rehearsal
•Behavioral
rehearsal
Production
•Feedback
•Physical ability
•Sub-skills
Motivation
•Rewards
•Rewards preference
•Internal standards
•Self-Efficacy
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Observational Learning
• Observing a model engaging in a behavior can lead to
behavior change by:
–
–
–
–
Teaching new behaviors
Encouraging previously forbidden behaviors
Drawing attention to particular tools
Increasing emotional arousal
• Domains of Research in Observational Learning
–
–
–
–
–
Aggression
Gender development
Peer relationships
Prosocial behavior
Influences of television and other media
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Observational Learning
• Observational learning is most common among
novices
• Children are most likely to learn from models
who are:
– Strong
– Nurturing
– Similar
• Race
• Gender
• Personal characteristics
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Explaining Development
• Experience with the social world influences
development
– As children interact with others, they learn:
• New behaviors
• Appropriate situation for the behavior
• Motivation to perform the behavior through reinforcement
• Enculturation largely involves exhibiting desirable
social behaviors and strategies of problem solving
– Similar behaviors within the culture are the result of
exposure to similar models
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Comparing Developmental Theories
Active/Passive
Nature/Nurture
Stage/Continuous
Piaget
Active
Both
Stage
Information Processing
Active
Both
Both
Sociocultural
Active
Both
Continuous
Neo-Piagetians
Active
Both
Stage
Social Learning
Both
Nurture
Continuous
Psychosocial
Attachment
Ecological Systems
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Critique of Social Learning
• Strengths
– Integrates social influences to behaviorism
– Describes a powerful mechanism for social development
• Weaknesses
– Does not examine mental processes associated with
observational learning
– Does not explain all types of learning
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Social Learning in Education
• Students often learn by observing others.
• Teachers and parents must model appropriate behaviors and
avoid modeling inappropriate behaviors.
• Teachers should expose students to a variety of models.
• Describing the consequences of behavior can effectively
increase appropriate behaviors and decrease inappropriate
ones.
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Revision
• Describe the four steps in observational
learning and what the teacher can do to
support each step.
• How does observational learning lead to
behavior change?
• According to social learning theory, what are
the three types of reinforcement?