2. Introduction
The social learning theory of Bandura
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 (Abbott)
4. Basic social learning concepts
1. Observational
Learning:
People can
learn through
observation
5. Observational Learning
In a famous and influential experiment known as
the Bobo doll experiment, Albert Bandura and his
colleagues were able to demonstrate one of the
ways in which children learn aggression.
The experiment involved exposing children to two
different adult models; an aggressive model and a
non-aggressive one.
After witnessing the adult's behavior, the children
would then be placed in a room without the
model and were observed to see if they would
imitate the behavior they had witnessed earlier.
6. Method
The participants were 36 boys and 36 girls
The children ranged in age between 3 and almost 6
years
Out of the participants, 24 were assigned to a control
group that received no treatment, 24 participants
were exposed to aggressive models, while the other 24
children were exposed to non-aggressive models.
Finally, these groups were divided again into groups of
boys and girls. Each of these groups was then divided
so that half of the participants were exposed to a
same-sex adult model and the other half was exposed
to an opposite-sex adult model.
7. Results
Children exposed to the violent model tended to
imitate the exact behavior they had observed when
the adult was no longer present.
Bandura and his colleagues had also predicted that
children in the non-aggressive group would behave
less aggressively than those in the control group.
The researchers were also correct in their prediction
that boys would behave more aggressively than girls.
Boys engaged in more than twice as many acts of
aggression than the girls.
8. Results
Boys who observed an adult male behaving
violently were more influenced than those
who had observed a female model behavior
aggressively.
Interestingly, the experimenters found in the
same-sex aggressive groups, boys were more
likely to imitate physical acts of violence
while girls were more likely to imitate verbal
aggression.
9. The Bobo Doll experiment
Bandura and his colleagues
believed that the experiment
demonstrates how specific
behaviors can be learned
through observation and
imitation.
In a follow-up study conducted
in 1965, Bandura found that
children were more likely to
imitate aggressive behavior if
the adult model was
rewarded for his or her
actions
They were far less likely to
imitate if they saw the adult
model being punished or
reprimanded for their
hostile behavior.
Several studies involving
television commercials and
videos containing violent
scenes have supported this
theory of modeling.
Albert Bandura believed
television was a source of
behavior modeling.
10. Basic social learning concepts
2. Intrinsic
Reinforcement:
Mental states
are important
to learning
.
11. Basic social learning concepts
3. The Modelling
Process:
Learning does not
necessarily lead to
a change in
behaviour.
.
12. Models of observational learning
• A live model, which involves
an actual individual
demonstrating or acting out a
behaviour.
13. Models of observational learning
• A verbal instructional model,
which involves descriptions
and explanations of a
behaviour.
14. Models of observational learning
• A symbolic model, which
involves real or fictional
characters displaying
behaviours in books, films,
television programs, or online
media.
15. Elements of Observational
Learning
1. Attention
In order to learn through observation, we
have to pay attention.
In teaching, you will have to ensure students’
attention to the critical features of the
lesson by making clear presentations and
highlighting important points.
16. Elements of Observational
Learning
2. Retention
In order to imitate the behavior of a model,
you have to remember it.
Retention can be improved by mental
rehearsal or by actual practice.
17. Elements of Observational
Learning
3. Reproduction
Once we “know” how a behavior should look
and remember the elements or steps, we still
may not perform it smoothly.
In the production phase, practice makes the
behavior smoother and more expert.
18. Elements of Observational
Learning
4. Motivation and Reinforcement
We may acquire a new skill or behavior
through observation, but we may not perform
that behavior until there is some motivation
or incentive to do so.
If we anticipate being reinforced for imitating
the actions of a model, we may be more
motivated to pay attention, remember, and
reproduce the behaviors.