Social Learning Theory

• Social Context - people learn from one another
• People learn through OBSERVATION.
• Contemporary Theory - both reinforcement and punishment have indirect effects on learning
• The observer is reinforced by the model, if unlikeable behavior is observed.
• The observer is reinforced by a third person, if unlikeable behavior is observed.
• The imitated behavior itself leads to reinforcing consequences.
• Model's behavior affect the observer's behavior.
• Reinforcement and Punishment - influences an individual that exhibits a behavior that has been learned
• Learning process:

  1. Observation
  2. Actual Imitation
• In a social learning environment, attention is a critical factor.
• Expectations - formed as a result of being reinforced about the consequences
• Reciprocal Causation - behavior can influence both the environment and the person
• Two Types of Modelling

  - Live Model

  - Symbolic Model
• Live model - actual person demonstrating the behavior
• Symbolic Model - can be a person or action portraying a behavior in some other medium, such as television, videotape, computer programs.
• Phases of Observational Learning

  1. Attention - to focus to the model
  2. Retention - to remember the observed behavior
  3. Motor Reproduction - to replicate the behavior
  4. Motivation -to demonstrate what they have learned