The Social Learning and Cognitive Theory, as championed by Albert Bandura, states that people behave and learn based on their personal actions, motivation, feelings, and thoughts. Learning does not occur merely from the environment. Furthermore, Bandura suggests that as we learn something new in our day-to-day social lives, we learn from modelling, imitation, and observation. This paper examines the social learning theory and illustrates how it applies to my life.
Setting performance goals, observing others, and thinking about the consequences of their actions are some of the practical elements of the social learning theory. Moreover, Bandura’s cognitive theory can be split into three units, which include self-regulation, self-efficacy, and observational learning (Bandura 127). Self-efficacy entails an individual’s belief in their capabilities to complete a task. Therefore, self-efficacy is not a stable trait as what one can do well or not changes from time to time. A person's experiences determine the confidence they have in themselves to completing a task. Self-efficacy is also influenced by one’s mental or physical state, encouragement, and verbal persuasion. The other component of the social learning theory is observational learning. Observational learning entails learning through reflection, imitation, and the observing of other peoples’ behaviours. Primarily, it takes place when a person sees another person’s actions, weighs the consequences, and decides whether to adopt them or not. Lastly, self-regulation is the last component of social cognitive theory. Self- regulation involves observing behaviour then comparing it to the set standards. If the behaviour surpasses the standards, a reward is applied (Bandura 135).
Bandura’s social learning theory has applied to me throughout my life. From a tender age, I always learn by observing the people around. For example, I always prepare pancakes just like my mother, and I believe that her recipe is the best. Secondly, when I was in grade four, I liked one of my teachers immensely. However, she pronounced some words incorrectly. Regardless of the mistakes she made, I gradually adopted her pronunciations, and they have influenced me to date (Bandura 130).
Moreover, I always try to adopt some behaviours from the people with whom I share some traits.
For instance, my classmates often say that my vocals are similar to those of Katy Perry’s. Consequently, I started listening to pop music, which I coincidentally liked. I also mimic Perry while singing to my peers. Besides, I copy her dressing style and follow her social trends. Indeed, imitating some of her traits has been rewarding because I have acquired many friends in the process, and I am not about to change that behaviour anytime soon. I have also learnt a lot from my older brothers. They have been punished heavily because of some of the actions they engage in, and to avoid similar consequences; I do not engage in such activities. I also acquired immense life lessons from the successes and failures of my brothers because they influence my behaviours we well as my ideas on wrong and right. From their challenges and shortcomings, I develop and understanding of what works and what does not.
In sum, the experiences that people have while growing up, as well as the comments and reactions from others, shape their personalities, as indicated in Bundura’s social learning theory. Irrespective of such influences, individuals have the power to choose the behaviours that they adopt and those to avoid based on their ideas about what is right or wrong.
Work Cited
Bandura, Albert. Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Press, 1977. Print.
