social learning

Examples of social learning in the following topics:

• Bandura and Observational Learning

  • Observational learning, also referred to as modeling or social learning, occurs by observing, retaining, and replicating behavior seen in others.
  • Stemming from Albert Bandura's social learning theory, observational learning allows for learning without any direct change to behavior; because of this, it has been used as an argument against strict behaviorism, which argues that behavior must occur for learning to have taken place.
  • According to Bandura's social learning theory, four conditions, or steps, must be met in order for observational or social learning to occur:
  • Bandura hoped that the experiment would prove that aggression can be explained, at least in part, by social learning theory.
  • The theory of social learning states that behavior such as aggression is learned through observing and imitating others.

• Criticisms of the Social-Cognitive Pespective on Personality

  • The social-cognitive theory of personality emphasizes both learning and cognition as sources of individual differences in personality.
  • This means that an individual can learn from observing others, as opposed to only being able to learn from their own experiences.
  • For example, researchers currently cannot find a connection between observational learning and self-efficacy within the social-cognitive perspective.
  • Another limitation is that not all social learning can be directly observed.
  • Because of this, the understanding of how a child learns through observation and how an adult learns through observation are not differentiated, and factors of development are not included.

• Bandura's and Rotter's Social-Cognitive Theories of Personality

  • Social cognition is basically social thought, or how the mind processes social information; social-cognitive theory describes how individuals think and react in social situations.
  • How the mind works in a social setting is extremely complicated—emotions, social desirability factors, and unconscious thoughts can all interact and affect social cognition in many ways.
  • Albert Bandura is a behavioral psychologist credited with creating social learning theory.
  • Julian Rotter is a clinical psychologist who was influenced by Bandura's social learning theory after rejecting a strict behaviorist approach.
  • Evidence has supported the theory that locus of control is learned and can be modified.

• Human Language Development

  • Humans, especially children, have an amazing ability to learn language.
  • He believes children instinctively learn language without any formal instruction.
  • Lev Vygotsky's theory of language development focused on social learning and the zone of proximal development (ZPD).
  • The ZPD is a level of development obtained when children engage in social interactions with others; it is the distance between a child's potential to learn and the actual learning that takes place.
  • Vygotsky's theory also demonstrated that Piaget underestimated the importance of social interactions in the development of language.

• Educational Psychology

  • Educational psychology is the study of how humans learn in educational settings.
  • Educational psychology is the study of how humans learn within an educational setting.
  • It examines the effectiveness of various educational interventions, the psychology of teaching, and the social aspect of schools.
  • Educational psychology aims to understand a child's cognitive development and learning characteristics.
  • Each looks at how children progress through learning stages as they age.

• Specific Learning Disorder

  • Specific learning disorder is a classification of disorders in which a person has difficulty learning in a typical manner within one of several domains.
  • Often referred to as learning disabilities, learning disorders are characterized by inadequate development of specific academic, language, and speech skills.
  • The causes of learning disabilities are not well understood.
  • Learning disabilities often run in the family—children with learning disabilities are likely to have parents or other relatives with similar difficulties.
  • Social support may also improve learning for students with learning disabilities.

• Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

  • Social anxiety disorder is marked by intense fear and avoidance of social situations in which one might be negatively judged.
  • Social anxiety disorder (formerly called social phobia) is characterized by extreme and persistent fear or anxiety and avoidance of social situations in which the person could potentially be evaluated negatively by others (APA, 2013).
  • Research into the causes of social anxiety and social phobia is wide-ranging, encompassing multiple perspectives from neuroscience to sociology.
  • It has been shown that there is a two- to threefold greater risk of having social phobia if a first-degree relative also has the disorder; this could be due to genetics and/or due to children acquiring social fears and avoidance through observational learning.
  • Worry and fear of social situations in which one may be negatively judged is a defining feature of social anxiety disorder.

• Applications of Psychological Theories to the Life of a Student

  • Educational psychology is the study of how humans learn in educational settings, the effectiveness of educational interventions, the psychology of teaching, and the social psychology of schools as organizations.
  • Understanding the various theories of learning as well as your personal learning style can help you better understand information and develop positive study habits.
  • People also learn in a variety of ways.
  • Knowing your strongest learning type can help you learn in the most effective way; depending on your learning style, you'll want to tweak your study skills to get the most of your education.
  • Describe the major theories of learning in the field of education

• Genetic Basis of Intelligence and Learning

  • A central topic in psychology involves the study of human cognition and the capacity to learn.
  • While environmental influences play a large role, our ability to learn is also largely shaped by genetics.
  • It looks at what environmental, emotional and social situations are best in order for new information to be retained and stored in the brain via the linking of neurons, rather than allowing the dendrites to be reabsorbed and the information to be lost.
  • Although the field is young, it is expected that with new technologies and new ways in which to observe learning, the paradigms of what students need and how students learn best will be further refined with actual scientific evidence.
  • Discuss the role genetics play in our cognition and our ability to learn.

• Learning Disabilities and Special Education

  • There are a variety of learning disabilities that require special assistance in order to help children learn effectively.
  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered a type of learning disability.
  • They must also cause problems in the person's social, academic, or work life.
  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by limitations in language and social skills.
  • Deficits in social skills can interfere with the development of appropriate peer relationships, and repetitive behaviors can be obsessive and interfere with a child's daily activities.