Rebecca Campbell
PSY 330 Theories of Personality
Shannon Sellers
June 3, 2011
Albert Bandura; Social Learning Theory Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory has become the most influential theory of learning and development. Bandura's theory added a social element known as observational learning and can explain a variety of behaviors. The three core concepts of the social learning theory is the idea that people can learn through observation, the idea that internal mental states are an essential part of the process, and that the theory recognizes that just because one learns something it does not mean that the learned behavior will be used. (Cherry, 2010) Behaviorism focuses on variables that we can observe, measure, and manipulate. Albert Bandura found that it was too simplistic for the phenomena he was observing. He then decided to add to the formula, reciprocal determinism. This is explained as the environment causes behavior and behavior causes environment. At a later date he believed that three things interacted with personality, the environment, behavior, and the person's psychological processes. (Boeree, 2006) Rotter elieved that the outcome of the behavior has an impact on the motivation of people to engage in that behavior. He believed that if there was a positive outcome to a certain behavior then one is more likely to engage in the behavior that produces a positive outcome. (biographicon.com)
Background.
Isom, M.D.. (November 30, 1998) The Social Learning Theory. Retrieved May 30, 2011 from http://www.criminology.fsu.edu
Albert Bandura received his B.A. From the University of the British Columbia in 1949. He then obtained his Ph.D. From the University of Iowa in 1952. During this period of study he developed the social learning theory.
Boeree, George C. Dr.. (2006). Personality Theories; Albert Bandura. Retrieved May 30, 2011 from