The “Social learning theory” put forth by Albert Bandura focuses on both cognitive and behavioural learning theories. This theory is based on the idea that we learn from our interactions with others in a social context, by observing the behaviours of others, people develop similar behaviours. After observing the behaviour of others, people assimilate and imitate that behaviour, especially if their observational experiences are positive ones.
Bandura strongly advocated that learning mostly happened observationally through modelling. He also argued that human behaviour is the result of reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioural and environmental influences each other. In general, the social learning theory justified the processes such as observation, imitation and modelling play pivotal role in the acquisition of any knowledge or skills.
According to Bandura, the heart of social learning theory are
• observation,
• imitation
• modelling
• attention
• memory
The three main concepts considered to be the axis of learning are
i. One can learn through observation
ii. State of mind is important for learning
iii. Learning is also happened without permanent change in the behaviour.
i. One can learn through observation
Bandura through his Bobo Doll Experiment, argued that children learn and imitate behaviours which they have observed in other people. The various life skills such as self -awareness, empathy, decision making, problem solving, effective communication, interpersonal relationship cooperation, tolerance and sense of oneness gradually develops from infant to adulthood through prolonged observation, imitation and modelling.
Bandura confirmed the learning of new skills through three types of modelling
A. A live model
B. A verbal Interpersonal model
C. A symbolic model
A. A live model which involves an actual individual demonstrating or acting out a behaviour.
B. A verbal instructional model, which involves descriptions and explanations of a behaviour.
C. A symbolic model, which involves real or fictional characters displaying behaviours in books, films, television programs, or online media.
ii. State of mind is important for learning
One’s own mental state and internal motivation play predominant role in confirming whether learning took place or not.
iii. Learning is also happened without permanent change in the behaviour.
The verification of behavioural modification cannot be applied to all sort of learning. Bandura strongly argued that learning of new skills also possible without modifying one’s own behaviour.
Modelling Process : He classified four components under observational learning.
1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Reproduction
4. Motivation
Attention : The person must first pay attention to the model. The more striking or different something is the more likely it is to gain our attention. Likewise, if we regard something as prestigious, attractive or like ourselves, we will take more notice. This component mainly requires the characteristics of an observer such as sensory capacities, arousal level, perceptual level and past reinforcement.
Retention : The observer must be able to remember the behaviour that has been observed. One way of increasing this is using the technique of rehearsal. The main components involved in retention are
• Symbolic coding
• Cognitive organization
• Symbolic rehearsal
• Motor rehearsal.
Reproduction : The third condition is the ability to replicate the behaviour that the model has just demonstrated.
Motivation : This component sets the will to perform the behaviour out of vicarious and internal reinforcement.
He also popularized the term ‘self-efficacy’ because his theory considers that how one individual perceive himself in the society and scale their own competencies of life. He point out he sources of self-efficacy as
• Vicarious experience
• Verbal persuasion
• Emotional arousals
According to him the four solid ways of building self- efficacy are
Mastery Experiences : The approach of life with devoted efforts and experimenting with realistic and challenging goals is the key to attain mastery over any experience.
Social Modelling : The endeavour and desire of the people in imitating some achievers or winners as a model considered to be social modelling. Tracing and imitating the achievers
Social Persuasion : Finding the right mentor, ie work with scholars & experts. While social modelling refers to the observation of a role model, social persuasion is utilizing the resources in a constructive way.
States of Physiology : The positive and negative emotions of human influence one’s sense of self-efficacy. Ensure emotional stability towards positive as well as negative situations.
Summary
Let me conclude, social learning theory by Bandura bridges between behaviourist learning theories and cognitive learning theories as it encompass attention, memory, and motivation. Bandura focused on the development of self-efficacy of the learners through social modelling and persuasion, mastering the skills through prolonged observation ,retention , and reproduction through internal motivation.
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