DE LA CRUZ, ANGIE B.

BEED 2A

Social Learning Theory

• Albert Bandura’s Social learning theory focuses on the learning that occurs within a
social context. It considers that people learn from one another, including such concepts
as observational learning, imitation and modeling.
• This theory states that we can learn through the observing the behaviors of others and
imitating them.
• In EPP teaching, social learning theory help us understand that learners would be able to
increase their engagement with other learners, develop organizational skills, and also
encourage collaboration in performing tasks.
• To make this theory practical for educators, its creator — Albert Bandura — emphasizes
that it isn’t just observational learning that contributes to the theory’s effectiveness. There
also must be an element of mediation that occurs between the stimuli and the responses;
a critical thought process that allows kids to process what occurred and decide whether
they should imitate the action(s).
This mediation takes the form of four types of internal processes.
Attention — the observed behavior needs to be noteworthy enough for the child to fully
focus on it.
Retention — the observed behavior must be memorable enough for the child to
remember it beyond the activity itself.
Reproduction — the observed behavior can’t be so complex that it’s beyond the child’s
ability to replicate it.
Motivation — there needs to be a clear, understandable reason for the child to replicate
the behavior; the rewards must outweigh the costs.
General Principles of Social Learning Theory
1. People can learn by observing the behavior of others and the outcomes of those
behaviors.
2. Learning can occur without a change in behavior.
3. Cognition plays a role in learning.
4. Social learning theory can be considered a bridge or a transition between behaviorist
learning theories and cognitive learning theories.
Impact in EPP Teaching
• This theory can be used to teach positive behaviors to students. Teachers can use
positive role models to increase desired behaviors and thus change the culture of a
school. Not only will individual students benefit from positive role models in and out of
the classroom, but the entire class and student body will do so.
• Has a great root in learning self-efficacy by using constructive feedback. Students who
get positive reinforcement have more confidence in themselves and their abilities —this
stands out in their mind and they want to repeat this behavior.
Summary
In conclusion, observation plays a very powerful role in learning. It not only helps
teach students but helps them to successfully understand, retain, and apply their
learning to their lives so they can learn and achieve even more. For this, we thank
Albert Bandura for his Social Learning Theory contribution.