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Learning Theory Paper

Lindsey Pate

Educational Psychology

June 23rd, 2015

Social Learning Theory

The Social Learning Theory is described as learning from the environment, behaviors, or

a person, and each of these factors influences one another. As the instructor discussed in the

lesson, middle school-age students choose a role model that is gender specific and contains

prestige or power (Hawkes, 2015). A model also has competence, like money or plays a sport

very well. Examples for young teens can be anyone, but are usually famous. Celebrities are often

chosen as models because their behaviors are shown in the media. Middle school-age students

behave like their role models and wish to be exactly like them. Young learners must pay

attention to the model, remember what the model does, is physically capable of modeled

behavior, and be motivated to demonstrate the modeled behavior (Hawkes, 2015).

Learning from the media or the social world can have good and bad effects, depending on

the representation chosen. Social learning is educated by observing others and acting as they do.

The originator of the Social Learning Theory, Albert Bandura said himself human behavior is

learned observationally through modeling: from observing others, one forms an idea of how new

behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this information serves as a guide for action

("Social Learning Theory (Bandura)," 2007). Knowledge from this perspective can be harmful or

helpful. For instance, a teacher may be chosen as a role model for a young learner, resulting in

helpful effects like enjoying school and assisting others. A harmful model like one that chooses
to consume drugs and alcohol can cause a negative effect upon the learner. As mentioned before,

middle school age students look up to their role models and act as they do. A 12 to 14 year old

will have negative behaviors if they choose an unsafe model.

Eventually, a person will acquire the knowledge to control his or her own behavior and

make decisions for themselves. This is called self-regulation; establishing goals, monitoring, and

reminding yourself about the appropriate way to respond and act in a certain situation. When

achieving a goal or acting with good behavior, rewarding yourself is called self-imposed

contingencies. A person must also have confidence in their ability to execute a behavior

successfully, known as self-efficacy (Hawkes, 2015). Self-efficacy is typically specific to a

situation and fluctuates with peers believing in your ability to achieve the goal. This confidence

is developed by success or failure of a task in the past, reinforcing messages, and peer

modeling (Hawkes, 2015).

The Social Learning Theory is commonly learned through media, the environment, and

peers. A classroom is a common environment where children learn how to behave. Younger

students tend to misbehave more often compared with older ones. In one corner, we have the

teacher, and the other contains around 20 kindergarten students, for example. If one child learns

a corrupt behavior, its like a virus that continues around the classroom that the teacher must

battle; every child will do the same until the teacher ends it. This is called response disinhibition;

where a person acts or does something that someone else did with no punishment. Children often

act in this way if they know they can get away with it.

Teachers are starting to rely on technology for another perspective of learning.

Encouraging students to think out loud and ask questions is a part of interacting with one another

and having social connections. Sometimes the best teacher is a student who has just figured out
a solution since they are probably functioning in the Zone of Proximal Development

("Interpersonal - Social Learning," n.d.). The Zone of Proximal Development is defined as the

difference between what a learner can and cannot do with the help from a teacher, student or any

guidance ("Zone of Proximal Development," n.d.).

Group assignments are a great tool to help students with social learning. As mentioned

before, some students learn better from each other rather than being lectured from the teacher.

Students have the chance to combine their ideas together into one great product and also, the

opportunity to make new friends and interact with children they may not talk to on a regular

basis. For example, if a teacher decides to have the class work in clusters to accomplish an

assignment, he/she may base the students on two different types of groups. One source tells that

a heterogeneous group encompasses students of different ability levels, race or age. The other

group is called homogeneous grouping. Meaning, students who have the same ability level, race

or age will work well in a group also. Ability level can be measured from past assignment scores

or tests. This approach can be useful to group students together that may need extra help so the

teacher can work more closely with them, while the students who need no extra help can be

grouped together and work on something different ("Interpersonal - Social Learning," n.d.). A

group assignment could be to create a quiz or test together. First, the teacher must hand out a

section of the material to each group, and those groups will pick out what they think is important

enough to be on a quiz. After each group is finished, make sure their questions are accurate and

contain the right answer. These student created quizzes will be great for studying for an

upcoming test and also improve their social learning.

Teachers face abundant difficulty accommodating to each students learning style, but

incorporating social learning in the classroom is simple and almost effortless. Include a role
playing technique into your assessment by having the students act out being the instructor and

acting as the student. As the student performs like the instructor, he or she can choose the

material needed to be lectured and practiced. When acting as the student, he/she can ask any

questions they might actually have and then figure out the answer with their role playing group.

Another example of using social learning in the classroom is debating a topic. This method is

great for Social Studies topics. The teacher may choose an issue and create two groups of

students who are assigned one side of an issue while another group argues for the other side

("Interpersonal - Social Learning," n.d.). Once each sides point is across, have the students

switch perspectives. They will now argue the opposite view. Eventually, assign the students to

come into an agreement of the issue or develop a report that takes the best evidence and

reasoning from both sides ("Interpersonal - Social Learning," n.d.). Students who have natural

leadership skills will shine through on social learning activities. This will help the teacher decide

on groups easier.

The Social Learning Theory contains many influences and role models. As a teacher,

making the right decisions and being a good influence to students is important. As stated before,

the social learning theory is the study of how people, behaviors, and the environment are inner-

related. It is a rejection of behaviorism and cognitivism, because neither take environmental

influences into consideration. Social learning theory believes that learning occurs largely through

modeling ("Social Learning Theory - Web Quest," n.d.).


References

Albert Bandura | Social Learning Theory | Simply Psychology. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2015,

from http://www.simplypsychology.org/bandura.html

Hawkes, M., Dr. (2015, June 23). Social Learning Theory. Lecture presented at Educational

Psychology.

Interpersonal - Social Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2015, from https://classroom-

assessment-theory-into-practice.wikispaces.com/Interpersonal - Social Learning

Social Learning Theory - Web Quest. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2015, from

http://www.erincunia.com/portfolio/MSportfolio/ide621/ide621f03production/socialco

nclusion.htm

Social Learning Theory (Bandura). (2007, February 09). Retrieved June 22, 2015, from

http://www.learning-theories.com/social-learning-theory-bandura.html

Zone of proximal development. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2015, from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_of_proximal_development

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