Contemporary Leadership Theory Christina Jones

Definition The social learning theory emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others. Thus it focuses on learning by observation and modeling. Social learning theory talks about how both environmental and cognitive factors interact to influence human learning and behavior. It focuses on the learning that occurs within a social context. It considers that people learn from one another, including such concepts as observational learning, imitation, and modeling.

Concepts Three core concepts at the heart of social learning theory. Observational Learning: People can learn through observation. Intrinsic Reinforcement: Internal mental states are an essential part of this process. Modeling Process: This theory recognizes that just because something has been learned, it does not mean that it will result in a change in behavior.

Albert Bandura Albert Bandura was born on December 4, 1925 in Alberta, Canada. In search of understanding human nature he received his bachelors’ degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia in He went on to the University of Iowa, where he obtained his Ph.D. in It was there that he came under the influence of the behaviorist tradition and learning theory. In 1953, he started teaching at Stanford University, and became full professor as well. While there, he collaborated with his first graduate student, Richard Walters, resulting in their first book, Adolescent Aggression, in He became the president of the American Psychology Association (APA) in 1973, and received the APA’s Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions in 1980.

"Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action." -Albert Bandura, Social Learning Theory, 1977