SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY B.Ed. II (S) Sci ‘A’(4 yr.)

Definition Observational learning, also called social learning theory, occurs when an observer's behavior changes after viewing the behavior of a model. An observer's behavior can be affected by the positive or negative consequences-called vicarious reinforcement or vicarious punishment- of a model's behavior. Observational learning (also known as: vicarious learning or social learning) is learning that occurs as a function of observing, retaining and replicating behavior observed in others. Albert Bandura.

Principles  Attention: The individual notices something in the environment. A person must firstly pay attention to a person engaging in a certain behavior ( the model).  Retention: The individual remembers what was noticed. Observers must not only recognize the observed behavior but also remember it at some later time.  Production: The individual produces an action that is a copy of what was noticed. Observers must be physically and/intellectually capable of producing the act.  Motivation: The environment delivers a consequence that changes the probability the behavior will be emitted again (reinforcement and punishment).

Modeling has several affects on learners:  Acquisition - observing the model learns new responses.  Inhibition - A response that otherwise may be made is changed when the observer sees a model being punished.  Disinhibition - A reduction in fear by observing a model's behavior go unpunished in a feared activity.  Facilitation - A model elicits from an observer a response that has already been learned.  Creativity - Observing several models performing and then adapting a combination of characteristics or styles.

How the environment reinforces and punishes modeling: People are often reinforced for modeling the behavior of others. Bandura suggested that the environment also reinforces modeling. This is in several possible ways: 1.The observer is reinforced by the model 2.The observer is reinforced by a third person. 3.The imitated behavior itself leads to reinforcing consequences. Many behaviors that we learn from others produce satisfying or reinforcing results. 4.Consequences of the model’s behavior affect the observers behavior vicariously. This is known as vicarious reinforcement. This is where in the model is reinforced for a response and then the observer shows an increase in that same response.

PROCESS IN SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY/OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING i.The observer will imitate the model's behavior if the model possesses characteristics-- things such as talent, intelligence, power, good looks, or popularity--that the observer finds attractive or desirable. ii.The observer will react to the way the model is treated and mimic the model's behavior. iii.A distinction exists between an observer's "acquiring" a behavior and "performing" a behavior.

How Observational Learning Impacts Learning: a.Curriculum-- Students must get a chance to observe and model the behavior that leads to a positive reinforcement. b.Instruction-- Educators must encourage collaborative learning, since much of learning happens within important social and environmental contexts. c.Assessment--A learned behavior often cannot be performed unless there is the right environment for it. Educators must provide the incentive and the supportive environment for the behavior to happen. Otherwise, assessment may not be accurate.

Educational Implications of Social Learning Theory Students often learn a great deal simply by observing other people. Describing the consequences of behaviors can effectively increase appropriate behaviors and decrease inappropriate ones. Modeling provides an alternative to shaping for teaching new behaviors. Teachers and parents must model appropriate behaviors and take care that they don't model inappropriate ones. Teachers should expose students to a variety of other models. Students must believe that they are capable of accomplishing school tasks. Teachers should help students set realistic expectations for their academic accomplishments. Self-regulation techniques provide effective methods for improving behavior.