Social learning theory posits that behavior is learned through observation and imitation of others. It states that behavior is influenced by rewards and punishments observed when others display certain behaviors. For example, a child may learn that getting good grades results in rewards by observing their older sibling receive rewards for good grades. Key concepts include learning through observation, the role of internal mental states, and the necessity of paying attention, retaining information, reproducing behaviors, and motivation to imitate.
2. What is Social Learning Theory?
It states that social behaviour (any type of behaviour that we display socially) is learned
by observing and imitating the actions of others.
according to this theory, by being rewarded and/or punished for these actions. For
example, if a child sees his older brother bring home a good report card and he gets a
great reward for it, the child may observe this, see the older brother get rewarded, and
then learn that having a good report card will get rewarded so he should do it too.
3. Core Concepts
• Learn through observation
• Internal mental states are an essential part of
this process
• Observation and imitation process will not
cause change in behaviour
5. Necessary Conditions
• Attention: Paying attention
• Retention: Ability to store information
• Reproduction: Perform the behaviour
observed
• Motivation: One has to be motivated to
imitate
6. Example
Learning Long Jump
• Attention:
Teacher teaches the steps on how to jump and
demonstrates the technique while the
students pay attention and observe
7. Example
Learning Long Jump
• Retention:
Teacher asks questions about the technique to
test the students’ understanding. Students
answer the questions asked
8. Example
Learning Long Jump
• Reproduction:
Students repeat and jump with the technique
that the teacher has demonstrated
9. Example
Learning Long Jump
• Motivation:
Teachers give comments on students’ learning
progress based on students’ performance:
Compliment the good and encourage the poor