What Is Social Learning
The social learning theory suggests that people learn from watching others and then imitating social learning them, particularly people in their lives who are significant to them. The learning that is observed can be found in shared settings such as school, work as well as with your loved ones. It could be positive or negative. Impersonation can also be influenced by your mental state.
The theory is based on classical and operant conditioning but differs by focusing on internal processes, but also the surrounding environment. This is in contrast to operant and classical conditioning, which are more focused on relationships between stimulus and response.
Albert Bandura developed social learning theory in the 1960s following performing a series of experiments including the Bobo doll experiment. The experiment proved that children will follow the behavior of adults they observe, even without being directly instructed to do it. He argued that the majority of models of behavior reinforcers didn’t include the social environment. this is the reason why people behave differently depending on the situation.
Teachers can employ the tenets of the social learning theory through rewarding desirable behavior and discouraging undesirable ones. Use of the reward system is a method of enticing students to be involved in discussions during class, finish assignments, and adhere to guidelines in the classroom. One way to motivate students is to model proper behaviour and boosting their self-confidence. This theory can also be used to build students to show respect and empathy for their peers.
People can also learn from watching the behavior of others and learn from their behavior, for instance, how to avoid or cope with stress. Vicarious learning can be an effective option for people struggling with depression and anxiety. Vicarious learning can be harmful due to the fact that it may cause people to imitate negative behaviors such as aggression and violence.
Employees often mimic the behavior of their coworkers at work. It can be done to get noticed or be a part of the group however it could be a way for employees to learn which behaviors are rewarded by their supervisors. This can be an issue if your company culture discourages the kind of behavior you’re describing.
This theory explains why some people may be more likely to be involved in risky behaviours. It is a reason why people may use drugs or smoke after seeing their peers perform the same thing, or even watch violent videos and mimic the aggression that they see on television. Research from 2021 shows that there are a variety of other factors that affect the people’s willingness to engage risky behaviors. Social learning is just one of them.
The theory can help determine why people act differently in different settings However, it can be difficult to implement. This is because people can be prone to internal conflicts which can arise when they decide to take on new behaviours that do not align with their existing beliefs or values. To deal with this issue, teachers can assist students in identifying their personal values and beliefs, and then guide them to look for ways to incorporate new habits into their lives that align with these values.