Bandura Social Learning Theory

Though many may view themselves, as unique individuals, we are all part of a larger society, and the way we interact is a direct reflection of that society. Throughout history, discrimination, racism and ethnocentrism, are part of our world and directly impact services received in institutions where people are employed, including and not limited to the mental health provider (Burnett, Hamel, & Long, 2004). Cultural values and beliefs of mental health workers, filter through the same lens as other people of the mainstream population. According to Bandura and Walters (1963) role experience and social interaction support and aid in patterns of behavior created. Inevitably, it appears, the personal beliefs can impact how a person behaves in the
Based on Bandura’s teaching, behavior is learned through modeling and observation. Societies use pictures, symbols, mental images, and media portrayals as a means of modeling. According to LeFrancois (1999) from infancy to adulthood, these symbols are methods used to learn. Equally, the “isms” (racism, discrimination, and ethnocentrism) in societies are learned and designed or used to reinforce bias and prejudice. There are positive and negative experiences in life, as people mature and develop. Bijou (1989) expounds on how the environment, is directly related to the development of beliefs, values, behaviors and the shaping of personalities. Carter (2003) reported that people are socialized to view themselves and others as racial or cultural beings. Race, gender religion, social class, and or ethnicity is affected during this process of socialization. People are shaped by the environment and how they develop their belief system and values and inevitably how they behave (Bandura, 1986). The environment continues to reinforce the learning (Bandura, 1986). Through observation and modeling of a population’s culture is the determining factor in how society learns to interact with the population. Within the mental health arena, people are taught through social norms and additional
The mental health workers learning is a product of social learning and mental health worker are socialized with prejudice and bias when looking at people who are different then they. The beliefs and values that are spawned from generation to generation requires relearning. Over the years, research shows that violence is learned behavior that had to be relearned to break of the cycle of violence. The same concept of relearning as it relates to mental health workers is essential with their personal beliefs system. For people to become culturally competent, a mindful learning process is necessary, which begins with relearning personal belief system and applying it to working with the mental health