Albert Bandura
Social Learning
Theory
social learning theory, Albert Bandura (1977) agrees with the
behaviorist learning
theories of classical conditioning and operant conditioning.
However, he adds two important
ideas:
1. Mediating processes occur between stimuli & responses.
2. Behavior is learned from the environment through the
process of observational learning.
Observational Learning
Children observe the people around
them behaving in various ways.
Mediational Processes
SLT is often described as the ‘bridge’ between
traditional learning theory (i.e., behaviorism)
and the cognitive approach.
Behaviorist Model
Stimulus Black Response
box
In the
environment Can't be Beahavio
studied r
Cognitive Model
Mediational
Input Process Output
In the
Mental Behavior
environment event
There are four mediational processes
proposed by Bandura:
1. Attention The extent to which we are exposed/notice the
behavior. For a behavior
to be imitated, it has to grab our attention.
2. Retention
How well the behavior is remembered. The
behavior may be noticed but
is it not always remembered which
obviously prevents imitation.
3Reproduction
This is the ability to perform the behavior that the model has
just
demonstrated. We see much behavior on a daily basis that
we would like to be able
to imitate but that this not always possible.
4 Motivation
They will to perform the behavior. The rewards
and punishment that
follow a behavior will be considered by the
observer
Critical
Evaluation
The social learning approach takes thought
processes into account and acknowledges the
role that they play in deciding if a behavior is
to be imitated or not. As such, SLT provides a
more comprehensive explanation of human
learning by recognizing the role of mediation
Al processes
It is for this reason that Bandura modified his
theory and in 1986 renamed his Social
Learning Theory, Social Cognitive Theory (SCT),
as a better description of how we learn
from our social experiences.
