There are a multitude of methods used by humans to facilitate learning and adapt to society. The Social Learning Theory discusses how individuals can learn new concepts and ideas solely through observation. Observing others behaviors plays a large role in shaping an individual, especially children. Some of our most basic behaviors, such as learning how to walk, have been adapted through watching and mimicking those around us. Modeling behavior can have both positive and/or negative effects on development, depending upon the environment the individual is in. Observational learning can be used to promote specific actions in the media and sports. However, if a person is placed in an environment with exposure to constant negative behavior, they will begin to adapt that behavior.  

The Social Learning Theory originated in 1963 with  Albert Bandura, a psychologist who has conducted various experiments to test out his theories. The most famous being the “BoBo Doll Experiment”, which tested the effects of observation on aggressiveness in children. Bandura reasoned that individuals “abstract and integrate information that is encountered in a variety of social experiences, such as exposure to models, verbal discussions, and discipline encounters” (Grusec). Albert Bandura believed that observing behaviors of those around us facilitates learning in the most effective manner. Individuals naturally mimic the behaviors of those around them. Whether it be picking up language or modeling actions of others, it has a large impact on both the cognitive and behavioral aspects of development. Therefore, modeling can have an effect on both how an individual views the world and how they behave.

Albert Bandura constructed the four steps of observational learning: “attention, retention, behavior reproduction, and motivation” (Holladay). First, an individual must be paying close attention in order to begin retaining the information being presented. If enough attention is paid to the action, then the behavior will begin to be encoded into the individuals long term memory. It is important that the person focuses on whether the outcome of the behavior is a reward or punishment. This helps children especially to distinguish whether or not the action is “bad or good”. If a person is placed in an environment where “bad behavior” is continuously being rewarded, they will begin to mimic that behavior, as it is perceived to them as positive. After retention occurs, the individual begins to model and repeat the desired behavior until it is achieved. Whether or not the individual is motivated will also have a huge impact on how effectively the behavior is understood and minicked. High motivation to succeed will undoubtedly led to greater results. Bandura and various other psychologists have placed an emphasis on self-efficacy. Self efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in their own ability to successfully replicate an action or complete a desired task. Self-efficacy plays a vital role in the social learning theory “because it affects whether the person will attempt to perform the potentially rewarding behavior, how much effort the person will exert to perform a behavior, and how long the person may persevere in trying to enact the behavior” (Holladay).  It is important that people have confidence in their ability, as it helps to facilitate observational learning. Bandura believes that self efficacy plays the largest role in being able to successfully model behaviors. 

Observational learning is especially prevalent in sports. Athletes utilize this type of learning through the advancement of “skill, strategy, and performance” (Hancock). When watching others play a sport, individuals pick up the language and rules of the game. For example, observation aids in the understanding of  “motor skills, strategies, game plans and routines” (Hancock). Constant exposure and viewing of the game will help theses aspects of the game to be encoded into the athletes memory. This is evident in both team and individual sports. Understanding the rules and skills of the game is a vital aspect of being able to play a sport. Therefore, observational learning plays a large role when learning how to play a sport. There are also mental effects of this type of learning on athletes including “the motivation to change or perform a behavior, coping with fear and anxiety, and cognition such as self-confidence and self-efficacy such that it may affect physical activity patterns” (Wesch). Watching other successful athletes becomes a motivating factor for other athletes, especially beginners. This ties back to Bandura’s steps of observational learning. In order to mimic the skills, the athlete must be paying close attention. Self-efficacy plays a large role in the success of athletes, as they must have confidence in their own abilities to perform well. High anxiety and low self esteem caused by individuals comparing their performance to others has a negative effect on their ability to grow as an athlete. If the individual has the motivation to continue practicing, they will in turn start to master the skill. 

The media uses the social learning theory to impact the thoughts and behaviors of their viewers. Companies use the media as a way to promote and sell their products and ideas. When concepts are presented to the viewer with positive outcomes, the individual is more likely to replicate the desired behavior. One of the examples given by Holiday was, “a person may learn how to smoke a marijuana cigarette by watching a friend smoke and receiving positive social feedback when smoking. In contrast, a person may learn to model behaviors depicted in a public service announcement that demonstrate how to decline a friend’s invitation to use marijuana.” In many cases media aims to encourage the end to negative behaviors, such as smoking, bullying and violence. However, the media may also be contributing to the rise of destructive behaviors. Through the use of observational learning “children encode in memory social scripts to guide behavior” (Huesmann). Television shows, video games, and movies that depict violence in a glorious manner may negatively influence the viewers. Constant exposure and viewing of violent behaviors “has been shown to bias children’s world schemas toward attributing hostility to others’ actions” (Huesmann) When these actions are not expressed without punishment, individuals may begin to model the behavior. The media is a powerful tool that can be used as a tool to facilitate the social learning theory in both a positive and negative way. The media has the potential to influence the opinions and thoughts of others, as well as their actions. 

The most significant impact of social learning theory has been developing our understanding of how individuals are socialized to accept the standards and values of the society that they live in. Socialization occurs through people observing the social and cultural norms around them. The social learning theory is applied to everyday aspects of life, such as the media and sports. Thus, the theory helps psychologists understand why individuals behave the way that they do. Individuals may have different definitions of “the norm”, based upon the environment they are placed in and who they have as role models. The end 

 

Works Cited 

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