Social Learning Theory
Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (1977) suggests that people learn within a social context. This theory is grounded in the belief that there is a relationship between cognitive factors (personal factors), environmental factors, and behavioural skills. According to ReCAPP (n.d.), learner’s in a Social Learning environment are encouraged to:
Bandura (1969) identified 4 processes for effective modeling:
Social Learning Theory incorporates both Cognitive and Behavioural learning in that it accounts for the influence on both the environment and the psychological factors on the learner’s behaviour.
- observe and imitate the behaviors of others,
- see positive behaviors modeled and practiced,
- increase their own capability and confidence to implement new skills,
- gain positive attitudes about implementing new skills, and
- experience support from their environment in order to use their new skills.
Bandura (1969) identified 4 processes for effective modeling:
- Attentional process (Attention): Learners must pay attention in order to learn. Various factors affect the amount of attention paid. This is mostly determined by the learner’s characteristics (e.g. sensory capacities, arousal level, etc)
- Retention process (Retention): Learners must remember details of observed behaviour in order to imitate.
- Motoric reproductive process (Reproduction): Demonstrate learning by reproducing behaviour.
- Incentive or motivational process (Motivation): Learner must feel motivated in order to repeat the learned behaviour.
Social Learning Theory incorporates both Cognitive and Behavioural learning in that it accounts for the influence on both the environment and the psychological factors on the learner’s behaviour.
Reciprocal Determinism
Reciprocal determinism in an important aspect of Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, which explains that a learner’s behaviour is determined by their environment and their personal characteristics. That is to say that cognitive factors, environmental factors and behavioural skills all reciprocally impact each other.
Image source: ReCAPP
Social Learning Online
There are diverse ways of engaging students in Social Learning environments online.
- Structured collaboration provides learners an opportunity to interact with peers in a social environment
- Discussion forums provide reflective models for learners
Hmmmmm... You've come to a page on Social learning. That means talking. So...where is the talking part of this page? Oh wait there it is. Look at the bottom.
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References
Bandura, A. (1969). "Social-Learning Theory of Identificatory Processes." In Goslin, D.A. (Ed.) Handbook for Socialization Theory and Research. Rand McNally & Company.
Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. New York: General Learning Press.
Hill, J. R., Song, L., & West, R. W. (2009): Social Learning Theory and Web-Based Learning Environments: A Review of Research and Discussion of Implications, American Journal of Distance Education, 23:2, 88-103
Learning Theories Knowledgebase (2012, November). Social Learning Theory (Bandura) at Learning-Theories.com. Retrieved November 18th, 2012 from http://www.learning-theories.com/social-learning-theory-bandura.html
Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. New York: General Learning Press.
Hill, J. R., Song, L., & West, R. W. (2009): Social Learning Theory and Web-Based Learning Environments: A Review of Research and Discussion of Implications, American Journal of Distance Education, 23:2, 88-103
Learning Theories Knowledgebase (2012, November). Social Learning Theory (Bandura) at Learning-Theories.com. Retrieved November 18th, 2012 from http://www.learning-theories.com/social-learning-theory-bandura.html