Albert Bandura: Pioneering Contributions to Social Learning Theory

'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'. Albert Bandura was a Canadian born psychologist who identified The Social Learning theory in the 1960's. Psychology has been used effectively to better one's knowledge and understanding in many aspects, and this essay will focus on how it has contributed to society by providing learning theories.

Children can have different learning styles meaning various approaches should be adopted depending on the individual pupil. Bandura's Social Learning Theory suggests that not only do students imitate one another, but they also imitate the teacher. According to Bandura, children will mimic a good role model who is open to all students and holds them to a high level of accountability

Albert Bandura acknowledged that classical and operant conditioning (Pavlov, I. and Skinner, B. F) could explain learning to a certain extent, however he argued that another two factors are of great importance 'these factors are imitation and identification'. In 1961 Bandura conducted the now famous Bobo doll experiment to study patterns of behaviour. The study consisted of a model being filmed displaying aggressive behaviour towards a Bobo doll. Later, the film was shown to children and followed by them reciprocating the aggressive behaviour when faced with the Bobo doll. The imitation which was demonstrated in this experiment provides evidence supporting the theory that learning does not occur purely through reinforcement. According to Banyard and Grayson, Bandura believed that direct reinforcement could not account for all types of learning, and that people can learn new information and behaviours by watching other people.

Bandura's theory highlights four main processes which influence learning: attention; retention; reproduction; and finally modelling. In regard to retention, Bandura implies that imitation can only be achieved if aspects of behaviour are remembered. Therefore, the Social Learning Theory can be incorporated into the classroom through peers teaching peers and include peer coaching which has been evidenced to aid learning. Drawing on the Social Learning Theory, Elliot Aronson developed the 'Jigsaw Classroom'. The jigsaw classroom divides the class into groups and assigns one crucial piece of information to each group member. The student must next memorise the knowledge and teach it to the remainder of the class.

Hautemo conducted an experiment amongst grade 7 English second language lessons to examine the effects of the Jigsaw method. The study included eighty-two pupils and two English teachers who were observed taking part in a Jigsaw method. Qualitative research methods, in-depth interviews and focus groups namely, were then used to gain an insight into the Jigsaw activity. The findings evidenced that the pupils were working well together with no bullying or teasing exhibited, and it was suggested that this was because each person had a task to follow through with meaning they each held accountability.

It is important to note that the methodology used is reliable and effective meaning the study can be replicated and repeated, and if done again can show whether the findings differ at all. However, this study was not simple for various reasons, one being helping learners in different groups was not easy for one teacher to handle. Thus, it was also hard for the teacher to monitor the progress made and it was time consuming to conduct.

Another aspect of Bandura's theory is self-efficacy. Bandura saw self-efficacy as a child’s belief in their abilities to do well and to succeed in certain situations, and as their capacity to exercise control over their own actions in order to gain success. A study to measure the effects of Jigsaw Learning Method on Students' Self-Efficacy and Motivation was undertaken in psychology students at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Lambung Mangkurat. This study concluded that the Jigsaw Method had significant effects on self-efficacy and one's motivation to learn

The data used in this essay provides evidence to demonstrate that psychology and psychological research can contribute greatly to society. Through studying various learning theories to make sure they have a good knowledge and understanding, educators can ensure they are meeting the needs of their pupils which will enhance the educational outcomes.

References

• Aronson, E. (2021). The jigsaw classroom. Pioneering Perspectives in Cooperative Learning, 146-164. https:doi.org10.43249781003106760-7
• Drewes, A. A. (2008). Bobo revisited: What the research says. International Journal of Play Therapy, 17(1), 52-65. https:doi.org10.10371555-6824.17.1.52
• Hautemo, A. M. (2016). The jigsaw method: The use of cooperative learning in a grade 7 English second language lessons. A Namibia school case study. JULACE: Journal of the University of Namibia Language Centre, 2(2), 83-99. Retrieved from http:journals.unam.edu.naindex.phpJULACEarticleview1318 November 9, 2021, from https:repository.unam.edu.nabitstreamhandle110702403hautemo_jigsaw_2017.pdf?sequence=1