Social Learning Theory and its Contributions to Learning/Behavior
Observational/Social Learning Observational learning describes the process of learning by watching others, retaining the information, and then later replicating the behaviors that were observed. Observational learning is sometimes called shaping, modeling, and vicarious reinforcement. While it can take place at any point in life, it tends to be the most common during childhood. It also plays an important role in the socialization process. Children learn how to behave and respond to others by observing how their parent(s) and/or caregivers interact with other people.
The first half of your paper should summarize the theory of the topic and its contributions to learning/behavior. The second half of your paper should consist of your personal response to the theory, for example, how have you observed the theory in learning throughout your own life, how do you see the theory's application today, and do you think this theory is applicable.
You should submit a title page, 2 full pages of content, and a reference page. The body of your paper should be two full pages! Your paper should be double spaced, Times New Romans, 12 font, APA format.
Social Learning Theory
Student Name
University
Course
Professor Name
Date
Social Learning Theory
Summary of the Theory
Social Learning Theory suggests that individuals can pick up certain habits by learning and adopting them from others. Beyond observing behavior, Albert Bandura reminds people that training happens in the presence of punishment and positive rewards, a process he labeled vicarious reinforcement (Nickerson, 2022). Vicarious reinforcement proposes that individuals tend to replicate a behavior more when it bears positive rewards, whereas they may equally discourage a habit when it leads to constant punishment (Nickerson, 2022). This theory is an alternative to the prior explanations issued by psychologist B.F Skinner, who suggested that behavioral shaping happens solely in the presence of reinforcements in a particular environment but not through learning (Fritze, 2019). This work explains the Social Learning Theory's fundamental elements and practical applications.
The social learning theory consists of four major mediational components: attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. Attention