Bandura's social learning theory posits that personality and behavior are shaped by observing and imitating others. According to the theory, we learn new behaviors by watching significant others or role models, and imitating their actions, especially if reinforcement is present. The process of observational learning involves paying attention to a model, retaining what is observed, reproducing the behavior physically, and being motivated to imitate the model. Bandura's theory suggests that personality develops through social interaction and environmental influences rather than innate traits.

1. Bandura’s social learning /
observational learning theory
SOCIAL LEARNING / OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING

3. Social learning: a perspective on personality
theory that suggests personality and associated
behaviour are determined by the situation social
environment rather than a series of trades or
biological pre-determinants. The series shows
that our personalities are created through a
process of serving others and imitating their
behaviour, especially if social reinforcement is
present.

4. Significant others:
people who are highly significant to ask,
often called role models. Even if we
may not agree with their behaviour, we
have a tendency to copy them. Their
behaviour represents what we should
be doing and therefore we copy and
imitate it.

6. Bandura’s observational learning / SOCIAL LEARNING
Social learning and observational learning are terms for the same theory.
Many examples of human behaviour have been copied from watching others. As children, we
were well aware of our elders and their actions, habits and attitudes. Those we view as big high status
to us, or significant others, and much more likely to be copied than those who we regard as relatively
unimportant.
As human beings, we copy behaviour because it helps us to be part of the group and be more
socially acceptable. This process is called social learning we can relate this type of learning to the
acquisition of model skills. We copy the skills performed by others because we are motivated to
achieve success and to be accepted by others. The coach or teacher could be viewed as a significant
other and therefore as a role model, he or she is copied.
In observational learning, the person who is been observed is the model. Social learning is not
just about imitating actions – it is also about adopting moral judgements and patterns of social
organisation

7. The process of observational learning
According to Bandura coping or modeling can affect our
performance through 4 processes
1> Attention: to be able to imitate a
demonstration, the performer must be attention to
the demonstration and focus on important cues (this
is called cueing). The amount of attention paid will
be influenced by the perceived attractiveness of the
model, the competence of the model and the status of
the model. The personal characteristics of the
observer (such as personal attention span) and
incentives that are present are also important
influences.
for example, the observer watching the
demonstrators' trailing leg in hurdling.

8. 2> Retention: the observer must be able
to remember the model that is presented.
Therefore he or she needs to create a
mental picture of the process. Mental
rehearsal can improve the retention of
this mental image.
For example, the coach in tennis repeating
the follow-through technique when serving.
The process of
observational learning

9. 3> motor reproduction: the observer
must be physically able to imitate this
skill being observed. Demonstrations
should therefore be matched to the
capabilities of the observer. Feedback
during future practices will be
important if motor reproduction is to
eventually match the model.
For example, the beginner in athletics
repeatedly practising the run-up in the
javelin throw
The process of observational learning

10. 4> motivation: the level of motivation of the observer is
crucial if they are going to imitate the performance.
External reinforcement of the model will increase the
motivation to imitate it.
For example, the coach praising the gymnast when a vault is
completed successfully
The process of
observational learning

11. Check your understanding
1. What this meant by operant conditioning when learning skills in sports?
2. What are the different types of reinforcement?
3. What does each of Thorndike's laws state about bonding a response to a
particular stimulus?
4. What are the important components of the cognitive theory of learning?
5. How this Bandura's observational learning theory help coaches in sports
when teaching new skills?

12. EYE ON THE EXAM
1. Using practical examples
and referring to
Bandura's model, explain
the process of
observational learning
when it is used for
acquiring movement
skills. Discuss the
factors that affect
successful modeling when
learning motor skills in
sport[10]
Complete the answers on a
Google sheet and hand in
for marking.