Middle Range Theories: Social Learning (Essay Sample)

Middle Range Theories: Social Learning
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Middle Range Theories: Social LearningHandout
The Social Learning Theory is a universal theory that describes learning and development. Invented by Albert Bandura, the theory highlights the relevance of observing and modeling behaviors, attitudes and emotional reactions of other people (Rosenstock, Strecher & Becker, 1988). The theory boasts that learning comes through observation, and it combines cognitive learning theory influenced by psychological factors, and behavioral learning theory determined by environmental stimuli (Rosenstock, Strecher & Becker, 1988). Bandura integrated the two theories to form the social learning theory that has surpassed its predecessors to become very influential.
Social Learning Theory operates on three basic concepts. One concept of the theory claims that people can learn through observation (Rosenstock, Strecher & Becker, 1988). For example, if a child is observing an adult engaging in a specific act, the child is bound to copy and do the same and in the process, the child will have learnt (Rosenstock, Strecher & Becker, 1988). The second concept highlights the relevance of the mental state and observes that mental states are necessary for a learning experience (Rosenstock, Strecher & Becker, 1988). According to the theory, mental states, also known as intrinsic reinforcements, include states like satisfaction, accomplishment and pride (Rosenstock, Strecher & Becker, 1988). The third concept of the social learning theory explains that learning does not assure behavioral change (Rosenstock, Strecher & Becker, 1988). Instead, it claims that people can learn new information without changing their behaviors (Rosenstock, Strecher & Becker, 1988).
However, the theory's functionality is shown through the use of Bobo doll experiment that was carried out by Bandura. From the research, the theory concludes that children learn from their environment that includes parents, teachers, family settings, friends and television characters (Rosenstock, Strecher & Becker, 1988). As children pay attention to their environment, they copy what they see and repeat the acts to form their behaviors (Rosenstock, Strecher & Becker, 1988). The children understand such behaviors and take the information they copy as rewarding.
Summary
Social learning theory is a theory interested in the way human beings acquire their behaviors and the factors that contribute to their acquisition. The theory is very influential in understanding why people behave the way they do, discouraging bad behaviors and encouraging healthy behaviors. As a result, the theory is effective in helping parents and teachers to shape children into responsible persons. On the other hand, the theory has a claim that learning does not necessarily influence behavior because it is possible to gain information and learn and at the same time while retaining behavior. In an overview, the theory highlights attention, retention, reproduction and motivation as the primary tenets that play a role in behavior modeling. However, understanding the three concepts of the theory is of great ...