Learning and Instruction

Social Learning Theory Background:

Social learning theory is the theory that people learn new behavior through overt reinforcement or via observational learning. People learn through observing others behavior. If people observe positive, desired outcomes in the observed behavior, they are more likely to model, imitate, and adopt the behavior themselves. It also suggests that the environment can have an effect on the way people behave. Albert andura incorporates aspects of behavioral and cognitive learning. ehavioral learning assumes that peoples environment !surroundings" cause people to behave in certain ways. #ognitive learning presumes that psychological factors are important for influencing how one behaves. $he social learning theory proposed by Albert andura has become perhaps the most influential theory of learning and development. %hile rooted in many of the basic concept of traditional learning theory, andura believed that direct reinforcement could not account for all types of learning. &is theory added a social element, arguing that people can learn new information and behaviors by watching other people. 'nown as observational learning !or modeling", this type of learning can be used to e(plain a wide variety of behaviors.

Discussion: asic social learning concept) 1. Observational Learning, or Modeling

Peo le can learn through observation In his famous * obo doll studies, andura demonstrated that children learn and imitate behaviors they have observed in other people. $he children in andura studies observed an adult acting violently toward a obo +oll. %hen the children were later allowed to play in a room with the obo +oll, they began to imitate the aggressive actions they had previously observed.

andura identified three basic models of observational learning) ,. A live model, which involves an actual individual demonstrating or acting out a behavior. -. A verbal instructional modeling, which involves descriptions and e(planations of a behavior. .. A symbolic model, which involves real or fictional characters displaying behaviors in books, films, television programs, or online media. Mental states are i! ortant to learning andura noted that e(ternal, environmental reinforcement was not the only factor to influence learning and behavior. &e described intrinsic reinforcement as a form of internal reward, such as pride, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment. $his emphasis on internal thoughts and cognitions helps connect learning theories to cognitive developmental theories. %hile many te(tbooks place social learning theory with behavioral theories, describes his approach as a social cognitive theory. Learning does not necessarily lead to a change in behavior %hile behaviorist believed that learning led to a permanent change in behavior, observational learning demonstrates that people can learn new information without demonstrating new behaviors. /ot all observed behaviors are effectively learned. 0actors involving both the model and the learner can play a role in whether social learning is successful. #ertain re1uirements and steps must also be followed. $he following steps are involved in the observational learning and modeling process) "ttention: In order to learn, you need to be paying attention. Anything that detracts your attention is going to have a negative effect on observational learning. If the model interesting or there is a novel aspect to the situation, you are more likely to dedicate your full attention to learning. #etention: andura himself

$he ability to store information is also an important part of the learning process. 2etention can be affected by a number of factors, but the ability to pull up information later and act on it is vital to observational learning. #e roduction: 3nce you have paid attention to the model and retained the information, it is time to actually perform the behavior you observed. 0urther practice of the learned behavior leads to improvement and skill advancement. Motivation 0inally, in order for observational learning to be successful, you have to be motivated to imitate the behavior that has been modeled. 2einforcement and punishment play an important role in motivation. %hile e(periencing these motivators can be highly effective, so can observing other e(perience some type of reinforcement for punishment. 0or e(ample, if you see another student rewarded with e(tra credit for being to class on time, you might start to show up a few minutes early each day.

$. Sel%&#egulation
Self4regulation controls our own behavior. It is the other 5workhorse6 of human personality. &ere andura suggests three steps) 1. Sel%&observation %e look at ourselves, our behavior, and keep tabs on it. $. 'udg!ent %e compare what we see with a standard. 0or e(ample, we can compare our performance with traditional standards, such as 5rules of eti1uette.6 3r we can create arbitrary ones, like 5Ill read a book a week.6 3r we can compete with others, or with ourselves. (. Sel%&res onse If you did well in comparison with your standard, you give yourself rewarding self4 responses. If you did poorly, you give yourself punishing self4responses. $hese self4

responses can range from the obvious !treating yourself to a sundae or working late" to the more covert !feelings of pride or shame".

(. Sel%&)%%icacy
People are more likely to engage in certain behaviors when they believe they are capable of e(ecuting those behaviors successfully. $his means that they will have high self4 efficacy. In laymans terms self efficacy could be looked as self confidence towards learning. Self4efficacy e(plains that somebody gets perception to their ability in facing a situation. $here are two components in Self efficacy as follows) ,. 3utcome 7(pectations) individual estimate that a certain outcome will emerge and knowledge hit what must be done. -. 7fficacy 7(pectations) we belief that we can do it or not. It emphasi8es that self efficacy has strong effect on somebody behavior. All behavior can be in the form of working, academic, recreation, social influenced by self efficacy. 7(pectancy is a variable cognitive of relation both stimulus and response. 3utcome 7(pectancy is anticipation from relation systematic upon an events or ob9ect in a situation. $he form is 5if4so: both behavior and its result. ;nsuccessfully of this event is depend on 5If4so6 that have e(isted in individual thinking, so if the e(pectation from individual is too high and then failed, the individual will be more easy get a problem because the inconvenient of his e(perience.

*. )ducational +! lication o% Social Learning Theory

Social learning theory has numerous implications for class room use) ,. Student often learn a great deal simply by observing other people -. +escribing the conse1uences of behavior is can effectively increase the appropriate behavior and decrease in appropriate ones. $his can involve discussing with learner about the reward and conse1uences of various behaviors. .. <odeling provides an alternative to shaping for teaching new behavior. Instead of using shaping, which is operant conditioning= modeling can provide a faster, more efficient, means for teaching new behavior.

>. $eacher and parents must model appropriate behavior and take care that they do not model inappropriate behaviors. ?. $eacher should e(pose student to a variety of other model. $his techni1ue is especially to break down traditional stereotypes. @. Student must believe that they are capable of accomplishing school task. A. $eacher should help student set realistic e(pectations for their academic accomplishment. In general in my class that means making sure that e(pectation are not set too low. B. Self regulation techni1ues provide an effective method for improving student behavior.

#e%erences
andura, A. !,CA?". Social Learning D Personality +evelopment) &olt, 2inehart D %inston, I/#) /E. andura, A. !,CA,b". Social Learning Theory. 7nglewood #liffs. /E) Prentice4&all. 3mrod, E.7. !,CCC". &uman Learning !.rd" ed. Prentice4&all.
Allen,L., D Santrock, E. !,CC.". $he #onte(ts of ehavior Psychology. rown D enchmark Press) <adison, %I. Akers, 2., !,CAA". +eviant ehavior) A Social Learning Approach. elmont <ass, %adsworth) /F andura, A. !,C@-". Social Learning through Imitation. ;niversity of /ebraska Press) Lincoln, /7. <iller D +ollard. !,C>,". Social learning and Imitation. Fale ;niver. Press) /ew &aven