Alison Feickert

Theory Paper
Ed. Psych.
Dr. Mark Hawkes
November 12, 2014

Social Learning Theory

Social Learning theory is a cognitive process that takes place in a social context and can
occur purely through observation or direct instruction, even in the absence of motor reproduction
or direct reinforcement. Social Learning theory was the idea that well-known psychologist,
Albert Bandura constructed. People learn through observing others behavior, attitudes, an
outcomes of those behaviors. Bandura stated, Most human behavior is learned observationally
through modeling: from observing others, one forms an idea of how new behaviors are
performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action. Bandura
believed that humans are active information processors and think about the relationship between
their behavior and its consequences (McLeod).
Children observe the people around them by behaving in various ways. An example of
the social learning theory is the BoBo doll experiment that Bandura conducted in 1961
(McLeold). Twenty- four children were exposed to a female or a male behaving aggressively
towards a blow up toy called the BoBo doll. The children watched a video of adults attacking the
BoBo doll in an aggressive manner such as hitting the doll with a hammer or throwing the doll
into the air (McLeod). Children who watched and observed the adults behavior were as
aggressive to the doll as the adults were, if not more aggressive (McLeod.

This experiment encouraged Banduras Social learning theory, that children learn social
behavior such as aggression through the process of observation learning: through the behavior of
another person. In Banduras Social Learning theory there are three main components in which
students learn. These three components are observational learning, imitation, and modeling.
Observational learning is children learning by observation. Whether it is a peer, teacher,
or parent, they become the model. Bandura identified that there are three different types of
models of observational learning; a live model, a verbal instructional model, and a symbolic
model. A live model involves actual individuals demonstrating or acting out the behavior
(Wikipedia). A verbal instructional model involves descriptions and explanations of a behavior
(Wikipedia). A symbolic model is real or fictional characters displaying behaviors in books,
films, television programs, or on an online source (Cherry). In the school, teachers, and
administrators are considered live role models. As teachers, it is important to be a positive role
model for the students. The teacher is someone who is always in front of the classroom. The
students are always observing the teacher or model and learning things from the teacher. When a
teacher demonstrates positive behavior, the students in return could repeat the positive behavior.
Yet another important component is mental states. Mental states are important to learning.
Bandura noted that external, environmental reinforcement was not the only factor to influence
learning and behavior. He described intrinsic reinforcement as a form of internal reward, such
as pride, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment. This emphasis on internal thoughts and
cognitions help connect learning theories to cognitive developmental theories. While many
textbooks place social learning theory with behavioral theories, Bandura himself describes his
approach as a social cognitive theory.

The third component is the modeling process or imitation. Learning does not necessarily
lead to a change in behavior. While behaviorists believed that learning led to a permanent change
in behavior, observational learning demonstrates that people can learn new information without
demonstrating new behaviors. Not all observed behaviors are effectively learned. Factors
involving both the model and the learner can play a role in whether social learning is successful.
Certain requirements and steps must also be followed. The following steps are involved in the
observational learning and modeling/imitation process: attention, retention, reproduction, and
motivation.
In order to learn, people need to be paying attention to what is going on around them.
Various factors increase or decrease the amount of attention used (Bandura). Ones
characteristics such as sensory capacities, arousal level, perceptual set, and past reinforcement
affect attention (Bandura). Teachers must make sure to have students attention when the teacher
is teaching them. It is important that there are no negative distractions in the classroom. To
reduce the amount of distractions in the classroom it is important to get the students engaged.
One way to engage students in the classroom is by covering a topic that is interesting and
exciting to the students.
The second observational learning process is called retention. This process depends on
the observers ability to remember new information, and how long the information is stored.
Retention includes symbolic coding, mental images, cognitive organization, symbolic rehearsal,
and motor rehearsal (Bandura).
The third step in the modeling process is reproduction. Reproduction is the process of
reproducing the image. Thus includes ones physical capabilities and self-observation (Bandura).
Once students have paid attention to the model and retained information that is demonstrated, it

is their turn to perform the behavior the child observed. The more the observer reproduces the
behavior, the better the observers behavior becomes.
The final step of the observational learning process is modeling. In order for
observational learning to be successful, the observer needs to be motivated to imitate the
behavior that was modeled (McLeod). This is where reinforcement and punishment play an
important role in observational learning (McLeod). For example, if a student sees another student
being punished for sharpening his pencil at a certain time, the student observes the behavior and
wont sharpen their pencil because he doesnt want to be punished like his peer was.
Albert Bandura believed that humans learn behaviors by observing other humans.
Environmental stimuli and cognitive processing play a big role in affecting behavior. The Social
Learning Theory is known as one of the most influential theorys when it comes to knowing and
understanding how humans learn specific behaviors. Social learning theory has sometimes been
called a bridge between behaviorist and cognitive learning that encompasses attention, memory,
and motivation (Bandura). The three components of the theory and the modeling process lay out
the process in which students learn behaviors and how teachers can promote positive behaviors
throughout the classroom.

Bibliography
Ormrod, Jeanne Ellis. Essentials of Educational Psychology. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall, 2006. Print.
Social Learning Theory." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 June 2013. Web. 12 Apr.
2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_learning_theory>.
McLeod, Saul. "Bandura - Social Learning Theory." Albert Bandura. SimplyPsychology,
2011. Web. 7 Apr. 2014.
Cherry, Kendra. "Social Learning Theory." About.com Psychology. About.com, n.d.Web.
4 Apr. 2014. <http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/a/sociallearning.htm>.
"Social Learning Theory (Bandura)." Learning Theories RSS. Learning Theories.com,
n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2014.