Application of Observational Learning

Within the elementary classroom, there is a copious amount of rules, guidelines and considerations a teacher must take into account. Learning theories such as social, cognitive, and behavioral learning should be implemented to provide framework and boundaries for the children. When incorporating learning theories in the classroom, it is important to have a clear understanding of how they work and how they will benefit the child and the teacher. These particular theories allows the teacher to run an efficient and effective classroom from day one.

Social learning theorists refer to this as vicarious reinforcement, and view it as a large influence on human behavioural responses to environmental stimuli.

According to learning theories, social learning theory is the view that people learn by observing others (CHEGG). The social learning theory shapes behaviors and attitudes, in ways that promote law breaking criminal activity. Social learning theory is associated with the work of Albert Bandura. Albert Bandura believed that

Most humans learn by simply watching, and then imitating the action rather than trial and error or direct experiences of the consequences of our actions (this is not to say that watching and imitating is the only way of learning). This method of learning is called observational learning. The highly recognized psychologist with observational learning is Albert Bandura. Bandura’s theory states that observational learning

Observational learning and cognitive variables help explain human behavior and can be utilized in a wide variety of areas. The Social Learning Theory (SLT) suggests that individuals learn a considerable amount of their behavior by observation and imitation of others (Powell, Honey, & Symbaluk 2017. It can be used to produce distinct interventions and treatments for those in need. A review of a variety of studies in aggression, stalking, business, and simulations investigate distinct ways to make use of the many components of the SLT. It was concluded that the SLT is diverse, it allows the creation of different treatments that help individuals in numerous areas.

Beginning in the 1950’s, theorists began to shift learning theory’s focus from animals to social learning. The focus was to examine patterns of behavior by humans acting in a social world, and evaluate the cognitive structures that people use to interpret events. Social learning theory combines social learning and the study of cognition. The key concepts of Social Learning theory are: personality is influenced because of the individual’s interactions with the social environment, and people influence their own development through interactions with the environment. The theory uses a social-cognitive approach that is used by scientists and researchers.

Learning by observation is a type of learning in which an individual observes the behavior of others, sees the consequences of the behaviors, and then attempts to carry out the same behavior. Social learning is based on the standards of classical and operant conditioning and observational learning. It is a commonly shared belief that people have an instinctive ability to imitate the behavior of others. However, this ability is not unique to humans. Animals have also showed evidence of being able to mimic humans and other animals (Mazur, 2013). Chimpanzees, or Pan Troglodytes, have demonstrated social learning through many different experiments in different settings. Chimpanzees have shown the ability to observe the behavior of a model and reproduce the behavior. However, chimpanzees have also demonstrated the mental capacity of understanding when behaviors do not elicit a desired reaction and not repeating these behaviors under these circumstances. This paper will focus on chimpanzees and their ability to learn new behaviors through social learning.

Behaviouristic theories of learning are essentially theories of conditioning and emphasize the role of reinforcement in learning. One of the mot predominant theories is Albert Bandura’s social learning theory, which assumes that. People learn through observing others’ behavior, attitudes, and outcomes of those behaviors which is called observational learning, that is an indirect form of learning known as vicarious learning and indirect forms of reinforcement which is called vicarious reinforcement .Bandura renamed SLT as social cognitive theory to accommodate the ever increasing importance in his thinking of cognitive factors .SLT has also

There are three core concepts in social learning, first learning through observation, mental state is essential part of the process and the theory also recognises that just because something is learnt doesn’t mean it will result in a change in behaviour.(cited in Burns 1995)Positive reinforcement is far more effective than negative reinforcement. Bandura believed that observation and direct reinforcement could

Bandura believed that not only is children’s behaviour shaped by its consequences, but also that children learn by watching the behaviour of people around them. In contrast to Behaviourism, Bandura’s social learning theory emphasized the importance of children imitating the behaviour, emotions and attitudes of those they saw around them .

What the learning theories tell you about different ways to help learners learn most effectively

During this final paper, there will be a number of topics discussed. These topics will cover how I personally found a better understanding of my customized learning theory. First, I will go over the Learning Theory and its’ importance. Secondly, I will give a description of an effective teacher and learning environment. Next, I will discuss the different learning characteristics. Finally, I then will give my personal reflection on all the different things I was able to learn during this course. All of these four sections helped build a better understanding on how to be a more effective educator. Most importantly, I gained a better understanding how to build better rapport with students who have all different learning styles and ways of thinking. While managing a classroom, it is highly important to make lessons that will be appealing to the students that you are teaching interest. This will increase engagement and academic learning.

Albert Bandura (1977), the originator of social learning theory, focused his research on the process of how people learn through observation. Social Learning stems from a cognitive and behavioral theory model. This is demonstrated through the well-known Bobo Doll experiment. The experiment entailed a child observing an adult being aggressive towards the Bobo Doll (Pavlov et al., 1961). The results indicated that children imitated the observed behaviors of being aggressive towards the doll (Pavlov et al., 1961).

I often hear the phrase, “humans learn through observing and imitating,” and after reading about mirror neurons, it makes sense. As babies, we learn our first words by imitating the sounds our parents make. Growing up, we observe our environments; we learn what is acceptable and what is not. In turn, what we learn about our society allows us to conform and have a sense of belongingness to our community—we start to socialize. Socialization then translates to empathy. We discover feelings and we start to relate to other people’s conditions and situations enabling us to facilitate connections and develop relationships. Of course, more research is needed to validate the correlation of these mirror neurons to learning, language, social behaviors

During the course we learn that neurons are critical early in childhood. On Page38 section 4 it states that there is a big increase in synaptic junctions, those that are used will survive, others will decay or be inhibited. The author argues that mirror neurons are highly present in infant monkeys. The argument is supported by reporting that surface electrodes had recorded mirroring monkeys one to seven days old. The young monkeys watched humans stick their tongues and smack their lips. The research was conducted properly by the first evidence that infants have mirror mechanism at birth that responds to facial gestures. Ehrenfeld also adds that many day old monkeys even stuck their tongues when they saw the human tongue. This corresponds with