Transcript Social Learning Theories of Vygotsky and Bandura

Social Learning Theories of
Vygotsky and Bandura
By Mary B. Knutson
Lev Semenovich Vygotsky
Born in 1896 in the Soviet
Union
Educated as a lawyer and
philologist (to study written
records and determining
authenticity and meaning)
Began career as
psychologist in 1917
Died of tuberculosis in 1934
His works were finally
available to U.S. in 1958
Vygotsky’s Social Constructivist
Theory
Emphasizes the influences of cultural
and social contexts in learning
Supports a discovery model of
learning
Teacher has active role
Student’s mental abilities develop
naturally through paths of discovery
Vygotsky’s Assumptions
Making Meaning- The community plays a
central role, and people around the student
greatly affect his/her worldview
Tools for Cognitive Development- including
important adults to the student, culture and
language
Play is very important activity for learning,
as it leads to abstract thought, which later
lead to higher mental functions
Learning takes place when meaningful,
appropriate situations are provided
Zone of Proximal Development
Problem Solving Skills
Determined by those
skills or tasks performed
independently by the
student
Those that cannot be
performed even with help
Those that fall between
the two extremes, the
tasks that can be
performed with help
from others
This concept
can enable the
teacher to help
the child obtain
his/her optimum
level.
Theoretically,
the child with a
larger zone of
proximal
development will
do much better in
school
Albert Bandura
Born 1925 in Alberta, Canada
B.S. in Psychology at University
of British Columbia 1949
Ph.D. at University of Iowa in
1952, where he developed his
social learning theory
Teaching psychology at Stanford
University from 1953 to present
Some consider him the “father”
of the cognitivist movement
Bandura’s Behavior Modeling
Theory
Agreed that environment causes behavior,
but believed that behavior also causes
environment- “reciprocal determinism”
Believed that environment, behavior and
the person’s psychological processes,
(including imagery and language) were
interconnected and created learning
Modeling occurs when behaviors of others
are observed and imitated. Reward or
punishment directly influences learning
Steps in the Modeling Process
Attention
Retention
Reproduction
Motivation
Self-regulation
Performance
Social learning theory is
the view of
psychologists who
emphasize behavior,
environment and
cognition as the key
factors in development.
Bandura added
important psychological
processes to his social
cognitive theory
Implications for Teaching
Teachers facilitate
an understanding of
how children and
adults learn and
what psychological ,
environmental or
cognitive factors
can be addressed
for optimum
learning
Need activity-based
ideas and methods
which are meaningful
in the context of the
learner
Observational learning,
or modeling by the
teacher or peers can
affect behavior
Action-oriented,
problem-solving
approach is used
Does On-line Learning Fit?
Bandura’s learning theory includes:
Interaction, modeling, observing and enacting
Distance learning may be described as
isolating, self-directed, asynchronous
Faculty can facilitate learning that captures
the learner’s energy, enthusiasm and
curiosity while providing students with the
skills to acquire new knowledge and skills.
Enhanced professional identity and modeling
of behaviors can take place in a virtual
community for successful learning
References
Personality Theories Web page retrieved 8-28-02 at
http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/bandura.html
Vygotsky’s Cultural/Cognitive Theory of Development Web page
retrieved 8-28-03 at
http://facultyweb.cortland.ed/~ANDERSMD/VYG.html
Social Learning Theory Web page retrieved 8-28-02
http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/bandura.html
Alexander, L.M. (2001), Social learning theory and distance
education: Compatible or incompatible constructs?
Perspective on Physician Assistant Education; 12(4), 267269.
Bastable, S. (2003), Nurse as Educator, Principles of Teaching
and Learning for Nursing Practice, 2nd ed. Sudbury, MA:
Jones & Barlett,