Social Learning Theory emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others. Albert Bandura (1925-

Canadian born Stanford psychologist, is the leading proponent of the theory, which is also sometimes called Social Cognitive Theory.

According to the Social Learning Theory, the human personality and the learning process is the result of interaction between three things -- the environment, behavior, and the person's psychological processes. (Boeree) While Behaviorism emphasizes learning through personal experimentation by focusing on variables that can be observed, measured and manipulated, Bandara has based his theory on the premise that "most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others." (Bandura, 1977. p.22) Bandura is of the view that "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." (Ibid)

Bandura developed his...
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