Albert Badura’s Contribution in Educational Psychology

By Irshad Narejo

Albert Bandura (1925-present)

A psychologist and learning theorist who first proposed  Social Learning Theory and

can be credited for first noting observational

learning.

Social Learning Theory or Observational Learning Theory

♦ People can learn new information and behaviors by watching other people known as Observational Learning (or modeling).

♦ Elements of observational learning♦ Attention♦ Retention ♦ Production♦ Motivation

Social Cognitive Theory♦ Social Cognitive Theory Humans can learn by

observing and modeling others.♦ Social cognitive learning theory explains

human behavior in terms of continuous reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental influences.

♦ This learning theory emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others.

Social Cognitive Learning Theory♦ Social cognitive theory states that there are

three characteristics that are unique to humans:

♦ Vicarious consequences (Model and imitate others)

♦ Self–efficacy (self reflection) ♦ Performance standards and moral conduct

(Ability to regulate one’s own behavior)

Bobo doll experiment♦ “Bobo Doll” studies demonstrated observational

learning and impact on violent behavior in children.♦ After seeing adults hit a doll and either be rewarded,

punished, or neither, children were shown to have learned the aggressive behavior.

♦ If a model is rewarded for his or her actions, an observer is more  likely to replicate the behavior. The more an observer likes or respects the model, the more likely they are to replicate their behavior.

Bobo Doll Experiment 1965

Social Learning Theory in Education

♦ Students often learn a great deal simply by observing other people.

♦ Describing the consequences of behavior is can effectively increase the appropriate behaviors and decrease inappropriate ones.

♦ This can involve discussing with learners about the rewards and consequences of various behaviors.

♦ Modeling provides an alternative to shaping for teaching new behaviors. Instead of using shaping, which is operant conditioning, modeling can provide a faster , more efficient means for teaching new behavior.

♦ Teachers and parents must model appropriate behaviors and take care that they do not model inappropriate behaviors.

♦ Teachers should expose students to a variety of other models .

♦ .Students must believe that they are capable of accomplishing school tasks. Thus it is very important to develop a sense of self-efficacy for students.

♦ Teachers can promote such self-efficacy by having students receive confidence-building messages, watch others be successful, and experience success on their own.

♦ Teachers should help students set realistic expectations for their academic accomplishments.

♦ Self-regulation techniques provide an effective method for improving student behavior .

Achievements* In 1972, he received a distinguished

achievement award from the American Psychological Association and a Scientist Award from the California State Psychological Association.  

* In 1974, Bandur was elected president of the American Psychological Association. 

* In 1980, he was elected the president of the Western Psychological Association. 

♦ He received the Thorndike Award for Distinguished Contributions of Psychology to Education from the American Psychological Association in 1998.

♦ In 2004, he also received the Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association .

♦ Bandura has also received several honorary degrees from universities all over the world .            

Books♦  Ado le s c e nt Ag g re s s io n (1959)♦ A So c ia l Le a rning

Ana lys is  (1973).     So c ia l Le a rning a nd Pe rs o na lity De ve lo pm e nt (1 9 6 3 )

♦ So c ia l Le a rning The o ry , which was published in 1977.

References♦ Albert Bandura. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2003

from the Francis Marion University website: www.fmarion.edu/~personality/exper/bandura.html

♦ Albert Bandura. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2003 from the Minot State University website: http://www.misu.nodak.edu/psych/Burke/book/bandu ra.html

♦ Albert Bandura: Biographical Sketch. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2003 from the Emory University website:http://www.emory.edu/EDUCATION/mfp/bandurabio. html

Thank you