Social Cognitive Views of Learning

WHAT?

This week we learned about Social Cognitivism. I think this might be my favorite theory that we have discussed this semester. The basic assumptions of this theory are: learning is an internal process and it may or may not lead to a behavior change, people learn by observing others, and through observing others people begin to assume control over their own behavior.

In class we watched the Bobo Doll Experiment. We saw how children not only modeled the behavior that they were shown, but they also elaborated on what they saw. The kids who watched a more violent example copied what they saw, and made up new ways to hurt Bobo. It was a little disturbing and also encouraging (not the beating up the doll part). In learning, this means that kids will follow what they are shown, and they will take it farther.

We discussed reciprocal causation. It shows that beliefs, behaviors, and environment all affect each other. For example, the beliefs of the teacher and the classroom environment will have an impact on the students behavior and also their beliefs. We also discussed the power of expectations. When a behavior receives a consequence, we then have expectations and make predictions of what the consequence will be if the behavior is repeated.

The class then researched four different topics of social cognitivism and presented them to the class. We were our own community of learners! We presented information on modeling, self-regulation, self- efficacy, and vicarious learning. Modeling is demonstrating a behavior for someone or observing someone and imitating their behavior. Self-regulation is self chosen behavior that leads to the fulfillment of personally chosen standards or goals. Self-efficacy is the belief that one is capable of executing certain behaviors or reaching certain goals. And vicarious learning is when a person learns by seeing someone else either reinforced or punished for a certain behavior.

SO WHAT?

The overall message here is that people learn not only by their own experiences, but by watching others as well. We make assumptions of what we can and can not do by seeing how others succeed and fail. We also learn by seeing the consequences of others actions. By seeing someone else be reinforced or punished for a behavior we will be more or less likely to exhibit the same behavior. We also have the control to learn what we want to, although we may be shown a behavior, or even participate in a behavior, it is up to us whether we learn from it. We also need to be self-regulated learners and be able to make and reach goals we set for ourselves.

NOW WHAT?

To help my students succeed in my class and learn how be self-regulated learners, I need to be a good model and show good models of how I want my kids to perform. I need my classroom to be the kind of environment that will promote good behavior. This includes my attitude. If a student can tell that I do not want to be at school, it can affect the way they behave and their own beliefs about school. I need to be consistent in my punishment and reinforcement for my classes because students are learning from everything they see.