Assess how effectively Bandura's Social learning ...
Assess how effectively Bandura's Social learning theory explains behaviour compared with earlier learning theories
Bandura’s Social learning theory was first introduced in the 1940s as both a causal and explanatory method to allow researchers to gain insight into human and animal imitation behaviour. It was then developed further to explain how people learn a broader range of behaviours by bringing those in context with human cognitions such as thinking and motivation, and environmental factors that determine and precede human behaviour (Bandura, 1963; Argyle, 1994).
This paper is organized into several sections beginning with a brief introduction to the concept of Social learning theory and its theoretical principles, followed by specific examples of research literature that have demonstrated the theory’s effectiveness in accounting for human behaviour.
Various theories have tried to explain human behaviour throughout time. Instinct theory and the psychodynamic approach have argued that a human being is governed by an autonomous system that is pre-programmed by either one’s genes (instincts) or by unconscious dynamic forces (id, super-ego), which decide one’s actions (Miller et al., 1941). Pavlov and Skinner based their explanations of behaviour on classical and operant conditioning research with animals and argued that human actions are the outcome of external stimuli, which shape learning (Pervin et al, 2007: p. 380-394; p. 398-402). Bandura found those explanations redundant because they view the human mind as simplistic rather than as a complex system of cognitions, affect and conation, and developed a theory that sees behaviour as a conscious process based on observation, imitation, cognitions and choice (Bandura, 1986). This theory was later revised into Social Cognitive Learning theory to include self beliefs such as self-efficacy (Pervin et al, 2007: p. 470 & p. 474; Bandura, 1997).
Social learning theory explains behaviour
“in terms of a continuous reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioural, and environmental determinants” (Bandura, 1977).
The theory’s principles are drawn from and expand on operant conditioning theories in the sense that Bandura emphasizes the importance of observational learning, social rewards, punishment, reinforcement and modeling behaviour. However, instead of one determinant, i.e., outside factors, Bandura takes into consideration two reciprocal determinants, i.e. internal and external factors, of behaviour, which act together and influence one another.
Social learning theory accepts the behaviourist view that learning can alter behaviour but Bandura has shown in various research that learning can take place without an actual change in behaviour. In one of his first works on behaviour modification, Bandura (1969) demonstrated that information obtained through observation can be stored ...
