explains how we learn by watching others. It's not just about copying, but a complex process of , memory, and . This theory helps us understand why we pick up behaviors from those around us.
builds on this, emphasizing our ability to shape our own behavior. It highlights how our beliefs about our capabilities () and our thought processes impact our actions and learning throughout life.
Social Learning Theory
Process of observational learning
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, also known as or , is a key concept in social learning theory where individuals learn by observing and imitating the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others
The process of observational learning involves four key stages:
Attention: The learner must pay attention to the model's behavior and its consequences
: The learner must remember the observed behavior, often through mental rehearsal or practice (visualization)
: The learner must have the ability to replicate the observed behavior (motor skills)
Motivation: The learner must have an incentive or reason to perform the learned behavior (rewards or punishments)
Observational learning plays a significant role in human development where children learn social norms, values, and behaviors by observing and imitating parents, peers (classmates), and other role models (teachers)
Observational learning can shape the development of personality traits, skills (communication), and habits (study routines) throughout the lifespan
Role of reinforcement and punishment
increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated
involves providing a rewarding stimulus after a desired behavior, such as praise or a tangible reward (stickers)
involves removing an aversive stimulus after a desired behavior, such as relieving anxiety or discomfort (taking a break from a challenging task)
decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated
involves presenting an aversive stimulus after an undesired behavior, such as scolding or a fine (timeout)
involves removing a positive stimulus after an undesired behavior, such as taking away privileges or attention (losing screen time)
and punishment also shape behavior through observational learning where observing others being rewarded for a behavior increases the likelihood of the observer engaging in that behavior (seeing a classmate praised for helping) and observing others being punished for a behavior decreases the likelihood of the observer engaging in that behavior (witnessing a sibling scolded for lying)
Social Cognitive Theory
Self-efficacy in motivation and performance
Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to successfully perform a specific task or behavior and is a central concept in social cognitive theory, developed by
Self-efficacy influences motivation and performance in several ways:
Individuals with high self-efficacy set more challenging goals and persist longer in the face of obstacles (attempting a difficult math problem)
High self-efficacy leads to greater effort and resilience when confronted with difficulties (practicing a new skill despite initial failures)
Low self-efficacy can result in avoidance of challenging tasks and reduced effort and persistence (procrastinating on a project due to fear of failure)
Sources of self-efficacy include:
: Successfully performing a task or behavior increases self-efficacy (completing a challenging assignment)
: Observing others successfully performing a task can increase self-efficacy (watching a peer deliver a confident presentation)
: Encouragement and support from others can boost self-efficacy (receiving positive feedback from a mentor)
Physiological and emotional states: Positive mood and physical well-being can enhance self-efficacy (feeling energized and focused)
Developing self-efficacy is crucial for promoting motivation, learning, and personal growth throughout the lifespan
Impact of cognitive processes
, such as attention, memory, and , play a crucial role in human development and learning
Attention:
allows individuals to focus on relevant information while filtering out distractions (concentrating on a lecture despite background noise)
enables individuals to maintain focus on a task over an extended period (studying for a long exam)
Attentional processes develop throughout childhood and are influenced by factors such as motivation and cognitive capacity
Memory:
allows individuals to temporarily store and manipulate information for ongoing tasks (mentally calculating a tip at a restaurant)
Long-term memory stores information for extended periods and includes declarative (facts and events) and procedural (skills and habits) memory
Memory processes are essential for learning, as they enable the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information (recalling historical dates for a test)
Problem-solving:
Problem-solving involves identifying a goal, generating and evaluating potential solutions, and implementing a chosen solution (finding the most efficient route to work)
Effective problem-solving requires the application of cognitive strategies, such as breaking down complex problems into smaller components (outlining an essay before writing)
Problem-solving skills develop throughout the lifespan and are influenced by factors such as knowledge, experience, and cognitive flexibility (adapting to new challenges in the workplace)
The development and effective use of these cognitive processes contribute to successful learning and adaptation across the lifespan