The theory of social learning states that people learn by watching other people and then mimicking people learn by watching other people them, especially those around them that are important. This observational learning happens in shared spaces like schools, work and even your own family. It is either positive or negative. Your mental State can play the role of whether or not you mimic an individual.
This theory is based on classical and operant conditioning, but is different in that it does not focus only on internal processes but also the surrounding environment. This is in contrast to classic and operant conditioning, which focus more on relations between stimulus and response.
Albert Bandura, a psychologist in the 1960s who developed the theory of social learning following numerous experiments, including the Bobo doll test. The results of this experiment showed that children imitated the playstyle of adults, even if they were not specifically instructed to follow the same pattern. He thought that many models of behavior reinforcement didn’t take into account the social context, and this is the reason why people behave differently depending on the situation.
Teachers can implement the principles of the theory of social learning through rewarding desirable behavior and deterring undesirable ones. Use of the reward system can be a way of motivating students to engage in class discussions, finish assignments, and abide by the rules of the classroom. Another is to model appropriate behaviors and build students’ self-confidence in the classroom. This theory can also be used to encourage students in their empathy and respect for their peers.
The behaviour of other people can teach people how to cope or get rid of stress. This is called vicarious learning, and is an excellent tool for those struggling with depression or anxiety. It is important to be aware of the dangers of vicarious learning because it can be a catalyst for imitation of harmful behaviors, such as aggressiveness and violence.
Employees frequently mimic the actions of coworkers in the workplace. This can be done to gain attention or to appear more like a normal person however it could also be a way for employees to find out what behavior is rewarded by their bosses. This could be an issue, especially if the company policy discourages these behavior.
The theory also explains the reason why people are more likely to take risks with their behavior. This may be the reason for why people may smoke cigarettes or drink drugs after seeing their friends do this, or why they might watch violent videos or emulate the violent behavior they see on TV. The research from 2021 suggests that there are other factors that influence the willingness of people to engage in risky behavior. Social learning is just one of them.
The theory can help determine why people act differently in different settings, but it can be difficult to apply. There are times when people face internal conflicts when they adopt new behaviors that do not align with their beliefs or values. To deal with this issue, teachers can assist students in identifying their own values and beliefs and then guide them to find ways to incorporate the new behavior into their lives that reflect the values they hold.