👀 Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory: How Children Learn by Watching Others
📌 Table of Contents
- Who is Albert Bandura?
- Observational Learning & Modeling
- The Bobo Doll Experiment
- Self-Efficacy Concept
- Application in Parenting and Teaching
🔍 What Is Social Learning Theory?
Bandura’s theory proposes that children learn new behaviors by observing and imitating others, especially when those behaviors are rewarded. He believed that learning is a cognitive process that occurs in a social context.
“Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions.” — Albert Bandura
🧠 Key Principles of Bandura’s Social Learning Theory
1️⃣ Observational Learning
Children observe others and absorb behaviors without directly experiencing consequences.
Example: A child watches an older sibling set the table and later copies the same behavior.
2️⃣ Imitation and Modeling
Children imitate behaviors performed by models—people they look up to or relate to.
Types of Models:
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Live model: Parent, teacher
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Symbolic model: Cartoon character, TV personality
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Verbal model: Instructions, storytelling
3️⃣ Vicarious Reinforcement
Children don’t need to be rewarded or punished themselves—they can learn by watching others being rewarded or punished.
Example: A student sees a classmate praised for answering a question and is motivated to participate next time.
4️⃣ Reciprocal Determinism
Behavior is influenced by a dynamic interaction between the child, their environment, and their personal thoughts.
Diagram:
Behavior ←→ Environment ←→ Personal Factors
🎥 The Bobo Doll Experiment
Bandura’s famous 1961 experiment showed that:
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Children who saw adults aggressively hitting a Bobo doll were more likely to imitate the same aggressive behavior.
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Conclusion: Children imitate even violent behavior simply by observing.
🧩 Applications of Bandura’s Theory
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Parenting: Model good behavior consistently
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Education: Use peer role models and encourage classroom observation
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Media awareness: Monitor what children watch, as they tend to imitate TV and internet content
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Therapy: Used in behavior modeling for children with behavioral challenges
⚖️ Criticism of Bandura’s Theory
| Concern | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Too broad | Hard to measure observational learning exactly |
| Doesn't explain all behavior | Some behaviors are instinctual or emotionally driven |
| Relies on external influences | Less focus on internal development stages |
➡️ Continue Reading: Jerome Bruner’s Constructivist Theory of Learning →
Discover how Jerome Bruner emphasized that children actively construct knowledge and understanding through discovery and interaction with their world.
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