Social Learning Theory Pt. 1

Today’s journey will be in the learning domain of Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Learning Theory. Through examples I will describe phases of his cognitive learning process and show steps to learning at work. Through extensive research, I have discovered a way to correlate the learning to Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory.

Phase 1- The beginning phase of Bandura’s theory is called Attention, which involves vicarious learning through modeled events and observer characteristics (Kearsley, 1994-2008). This phase describes the initial process of being introduced to training material along with detailed actions that depict a companywide reference standard performance. This information is displayed in a recorded format for every store companywide to observe the modeled event on their storefront computers.

Phase 2- The second phase is called Retention, which includes symbolic coding, cognitive organization, and symbolic rehearsal (Kearsley, 1994-2008). During this phase, attempts will be made to learn new information in the best possible method to form knowledge organization that will activate memory processing (Alessi & Trollip, 2001).

Phase 3- This is the most engaging phase called Motor Reproduction, which involves self-observation of reproduction and accuracy of feedback. This phase of learning is the trial and error process of becoming familiar with saying the show script verbatim. This phase can not be completed without the Retention phase, which is the root of mastering reproduction fluency.(Bransford,2000)

Phase 4- This phase is called Motivation, which depends solely on factors that usually have to be determined within self to be a task or skill that is meaningful; if not learning will not happen. For example, a worker knows that he or she will get fired for not knowing a required skill on a job that they need. This type of motivator would be considered an extrinsic motivator (those from the outside), because the pressure or demand of the job is why they push themselves to learn. But on the other hand if my motivation comes from just the challenge of learning the skill, this would be an intrinsic motivator (those that come from within the person). These motivators will vary from person to person depending on what is important to them. (Bransford,2000)

Phase 5- This phase is called Self Observation, which requires that I observe myself and evaluate my actions to determine whether they are positive or negative habits. In this phase, my observations direct my thinking, back into the previous stages to determine if my actions are satisfying my requirement to learn the script (Alessi & Trollip, 2001).

Phase 6- Self Response deals with my responses to feedback and how it is handled, whether encouraging or disappointing regarding my learning actions. This can be affected by other colleague’s feedback as well as my self criticism.

In conclusion, Albert Bandura is arguably the most eminent living psychologist. His Social Cognitive theory has influenced many areas of inquiry: education, health sciences, social policy and psychotherapy among others. This film presents some additional footage of Dr. Bandura’s best-known research such as the BoBo doll experiment, treatment for snake phobias, and the use of television dramas to convey positive social messages. (Moore,1999)