Social Learning Theory

The social learning theory proposed by Albert Bandura (Canadian psychologist) added a social element, arguing that people can learn new information and behaviors by watching other people. Known as observational learning (or modeling), this type of learning can be used to explain a wide variety of behaviors.

Basic Social Learning Concepts. Observational Learning.

1. People can learn through observation. Bandura demonstrated that children learn and imitate behaviors they have observed in other people.

2. Mental states are important to learning. Bandura described intrinsic reinforcement as a form of internal reward, such as pride, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment.

3. Learning does not necessarily lead to a change in behavior. Observational learning demonstrates that people can learn new information without demonstrating new behaviors.

The Modeling Process. Not all observed behaviors are effectively learned. Certain requirements and steps must also be followed. The following steps are involved in the observational learning and modeling process:

1.Attention: 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 far more likely to dedicate your full attention to learning.

2.Retention: The ability to store information is also an important part of the learning process. Retention 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.

3. Reproduction: it is time to actually perform the behavior you observed. Further practice of the learned behavior leads to improvement and skill advancement.

4.Motivation: Finally, in order for observational learning to be successful, you have to be motivated to imitate the behavior that has been modeled. Reinforcement and punishment play an important role in motivation. For example, if you see another student rewarded with extra credit for being to class on time, you might start to show up a few minutes early each day.

Humanist Theories. Humanistic psychology theories began to grow in popularity

during the 1950s. humanist theories instead emphasized the basic goodness

of human beings. Some of the major humanist theorists include Carl Rogers and

Abraham Maslow. During the 1950s, humanistic psychology began as a reaction

to psychoanalysis and behaviorism, which dominated psychology at the time.

In 1962, Abraham Maslow published Toward a Psychology of Being, in which he described humanistic psychology as the "third force" in psychology. The first and second forces were behaviorism and psychoanalysis respectively. Each branch of psychology has contributed to our understanding of the human mind and behavior.

Поиск по сайту: