Social Learning Theory Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

Social Learning Theory

Dr. K. A. KorbUniversity 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



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



• 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


Social Learning vs. BehaviorismBehaviorism

• 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


Social Learning

• Types of reinforcement– Direct: Environment reinforces the child– Vicarious: The child observes the environment

reinforcing another person– Self: The child reinforces themself


Observational Learning

• Four elements must be met for a child to learn a behavior through observational learning:

1. Pay attention to the model2. Retain information about the behavior3. Produce the behavior4. Be motivated to repeat the behavior


Observational Learning Process

Attention

•Task complexity•Model relevance•Repetition

•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

T

S


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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?


Documents

Social Learning Theory Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos