Social Learning Theory

Social learning theory, also known as Social Cognitive Theory, involves the idea of people learning by observing the actions of others and that thought processes in the human brain are of utmost importance to understanding personality. Social learning theory first evolved out of the work and research by N.E. Miller and J. Dollard in 1941. Their beliefs rested on the idea that if humans were motivated to learn a particular behavior, it would be done so by clear observations. By imitating these observed actions the individual observer would establish that learned action would be rewarded through positive reinforcement (Miller & Dollard, 1941). The main principles of the social learning theory were later expanded on by Albert Bandura (1962 to
Some of the models may include sources in the media or imitation of interpersonal subjects. Modeling that is truly effective teaches strategies and general rules for dealing with many different situations (Bandura, 1988). The first important step in modeling is attention. One must pay full attention to learn new information. Attractiveness and uniqueness are examples of things that may gain our attention. Retention involves remembering information that gained our attention in the first place through mental images or verbal descriptions. The third step in modeling is reproduction. This is when the images or descriptions are translated into behavior. The ability must be present to reproduce the behavior. At times our abilities can improve even through envisioning ourselves performing a certain act. The final stage in modeling is motivation. Motivation (having a reason) is critical for ultimately imitating the model (Boeree,
Often times the observer will find certain characteristics favorable and will imitate or attempt to copy the model’s behavior. Some of these characteristics may include talent, power, attractive looks, intelligence or popularity. For example, a young boy may watch his father shave every morning before work. After observing the model (father) for a few days, the young boy may attempt to imitate that behavior by using toys or other play objects from witnessing his father’s actions. It is evident through the social learning theory that learning will likely occur if there is close identification between the observer and the model and if the observer also has a good deal of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy ideas operate as an integral set of determinants that involve human action, affect and motivation that operate through cognitive, affective and motivational processes of intervening (Bandura, 1989). Identification develops a particularly close connection between the person being imitated and the observer. The behavior will more than likely be achieved if the observer completely believes they have the ability to follow through with the action that is imitated (Bandura,