NAME: Flores, Cyren Mae A.

TCP 1B DATE: November 9, 2019

STUDENT NUMBER: 201917470

BANDURA’S MODELLING THEORY

A PRIORI

Upon reading the word “modelling”, the idea that comes into my mind is that this theory has
something to do with imitation. Since, model, to be taken literally is something that is imitated by
other people as guide for something to be learned about.
And since principles of teaching tackles topic like learning, I correlate this theory that
something can be learned by means of imitation or observation.

POSTERIORI

Albert Bandura is an eminent person in the field of developmental psychology and educational
psychology. One of his contributions to the field of psychology and that has relevance to
communication is Modelling theory.

“Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely
solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, 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.” – Albert Bandura (1977)

In this theory, Albert Bandura stresses on the role of social learning through observation. He
believes that people adopt behavior by observing others. It emphasizes on the importance of
observation and imitation that takes place from an individual’s perspective though the characters
portrayed through media, and how it brings a change when it comes to their behavior, knowledge,
attitudes and values (Ben Janse, 2016). The imitation is more likely to happen if the model holds an
admired status and the activity that they do are of great value. The imitated behavior is gradually
reinforced and the individual identifies with the model and gradually tries out the behavior.

It also explains human behavior in terms of continuous reciprocal interaction between

cognitive, behavioral, and environmental influences.

Several factors ensure that people imitate behavior of others. Albert Bandura developed a
model that clarifies this. These includes:

According to Alice (2014), attention is observing of a model with status is necessary for the
adaptation or imitation of behavior. Imitation is not possible without the learner being able to mirror
themselves to a model. Partly due to social media, the amount of attention that is given to certain role
models has increased exponentially.

Next is retention which is remembering what you paid attention to. Includes symbolic coding,
mental images, cognitive organization, symbolic rehearsal, motor rehearsal (Ben Janse, 2016).

The behavior can be observed, but that does not mean that it is automatically internalized.
The human does not do social learning in a direct way, so the memory plays an important role in the
process.

While reproduction is the ability to perform internalized memories as behavior. Many

behavior characteristics are retained on a daily basis, but not everything will be used later on. In some
cases, the physical condition of the learner limits the desire to change behavior (Alice, 2014).

Lastly, the model that is mirrored by the learner has a status. When a model has a large status
it is plausible that its behavior is imitated. For example, children look up to their parents and therefore
adopt behavior after observation. Pop stars, famous actors or other influential people can also be seen
as a model (Alice, 2014). From this it can be concluded that similarities between the model and the
learner increase the likelihood that behavior will be imitated.

Generally, behavior that is empowered is imitated. However, it is necessary that the

ratification is not purely materialistic. The learner must also be intrinsically motivated to follow the
model.
CONCLUSION

Learning is a remarkably complex process that is influenced by a wide variety of factors. As

most parents are probably very much aware, observation can play a critical role in determining how
and what children learn.

By observing, behavior can be adapted or taught. By analyzing the consequences that certain
behavior has, a process is or is not initiated that can change the behavior. Role models with a high
status are often looked up to.

This is one of the factors that plays a role in the copying of behavior. Albert Bandura shows,
with his theory, that good examples will be followed, but it also works the other way around.

In short, modelling theory is about learning through imitation and identification. Media
dictates how we live our lives. What we possess, what we are, how we are perceived tells our social
status and we modify it according to the media content and other external factors that we are exposed
to.
However, learning does not mean that there will be a change in the behavior of an individual.
 REFERENCES

Alice (2014). Modelling Theory in Psychology, Behavioral and Social Science . Retrieved
October 29, 2019 from https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/social-learning/.

Ben Janse (2016). Social Learning Theory. Retrieved October 30, 2019 from https://www.instructio
naldesign.org/theories/social-learning/