Social Learning Theory by Bandura - Essay Example

? Social Learning Theory by Bandura A detailed explanation on Bandura’s learning theory in relation to Psychotherapy is fundamental to the learning process. Bandura argues that an individual learns behavior from the surrounding by observational learning as apparent in Social Learning Theory. An individual who has undergone psychotherapeutic psychology portrays characteristics of a freer, more liberated and fuller self in respect to the relationship with others. Psychotherapeutic Psychology Introduction Psychotherapy is an intentional and detailed application of professional relationship that enables one to search, find out and express his or her otherwise troublesome or hidden perspective. Additionally, a person who has undergone psychotherapeutic psychology is essentially empowered to adapt traits that will help him or her overcome the everyday life patterns Key Elements of the Social Learning Theory Social Learning Theory enables one to search, determine and express his or her otherwise troublesome or hidden perspective. An individual who has undergone psychotherapeutic psychology portrays characteristics of a free, liberated and fuller self as apparent in the relationship with others. He is essentially empowered to adapt traits that will help him or her overcome the everyday life patterns that may pose challenges to growth. This empowerment allows an individual to make realistic, creative and gratifying decisions and responses (Chance & Krause, 2009). Analysis of Bandura’s viewpoints towards psychotherapeutic psychology requires appreciation of its key elements that include the tool of evaluation, reciprocal determinism, imitation, and the self-system. Albert Bandura demonstrated the elements of psychotherapeutic psychology using his social learning theory. In this theory, learning is affected by the behavioral, environmental and cognitive factors. Learning of most behaviors in humans happens through observations. Individuals placed in similar learning set ups tend to portray the same kind of responses. According to Bandura, imitation plays a critical role in psychotherapeutic acquisition of novel feedbacks. In a demonstration where he used children to watch various performances, Bandura concludes that children have the ability of learning novel responses through merely observing what others are doing. Additionally, he concluded that learning in children would still take place even without a reinforced behavior by models in the learning process. The cognitive abilities of humans are responsible for the performance of new responses as per observations. There is the transformation of model’s traits, activities and appearances into images and other verbal symbols and stored in memory for future use in the element of imitation (Ziegler, 2005). Bandura interestingly applied his conclusions to form the key elements of psychotherapeutic psychology. He puts a lot of consideration on the learning theory based techniques as the modification for undesirable behavior. Apparently, emotional responses that are acquired by vicarious and direct experiences with disturbing events could be eliminated directly. Bandura advices people experiencing exaggerated and unrealistic fears to reduce their emotional and defensive reactions by watching fearless interactions of models. This is because models tend to provoke anxiety of objects and events. One is likely to practice the model’s behavior in a relaxed situation. Several experiments were performed to establish this fact before finally concluding that an experience is a phobia guided by the actual exposure of a model to a particular experience. In the element of reciprocal determinism, Bandura observes that human behaviors are explained using determinants that act in unidirectional manner aside from being limited in scope. One such determinant is the situational force. Here, the environment instigates a condition upon which humans counteract by automatically remodeling their behaviors. In the element of the self-system, Bandura portends that cognitive structures are responsible for the provision of reference mechanisms. They also offer the sub functions that evaluate and regulate an individual’s behavior. The element of evaluation in its part emphasizes learning through observations as a way of modeling the development of personality. Bandura’s metaphor of the psychotherapeutic psychology Current approaches to psychotherapeutic psychology assume mechanic and constructive dimensions. People are now creating their own reality based on the unconscious representation of knowledge. However, Bandura offers a metaphorically representation to this knowledge. The use of metaphors in psychotherapeutic psychology changes and accesses the unconscious cognitive representations at different levels. Bandura observed that psychotherapeutic psychology operates in ‘participant-observer’ nature. This metaphor implies that a psychotherapeutic psychologist’s role is to understand the way of life of his patient by considering his point of view. This can be possible if he learns and appreciates the patient’s culture. In transference, the psychotherapist experiences the first hand therapeutic relationship of the patient’s reality. Based on this, the deep metaphor in psychotherapy understands one’s culture and experiences as a prerequisite condition for effectual administration of any intervention. Consequently, social is a derivative of cultural assumptions, constructions and values. It is also sensitive to the needs of a society. Bandura’s view of person, or the self Albert Bandura coined a belief of self-efficacy. He stated that an individual has the capability of organizing and executing the required courses of action when managing prospective situations. According to him, these beliefs determine the manner in which people think, feel and behavior. Self-efficacy is a sense of competence and self-esteem that are key components when dealing with problems in life (Bandura, 2007). People who possess a great deal of self-efficacy always believe that they can cope with adverse situations. Conversely, persons with diminished levels of self-efficacy always feel helpless when confronted with challenging situations. This occurs in all capacities of growth and development. Apparently, the author’s view is related to the Bible’s views of self. In the Bible, God created all men identical in his own representation and kindness. Therefore, the issue of low self-esteem does not arise considering that it would defy God’s reflection and likeness. God empowered man with reason and knowledge to make decisions on behalf of other creatures. This requires the possession of immense capability of decision making and execution skills. Normative framework of the psychotherapeutic psychology A normative framework of psychotherapeutic psychology assumes a science based approach. Frankena argues that acquiring the virtues of justice and benevolence do not require instruction or guidance but rather conceived in principles that ought to be undertaken. He relayed out three frame works upon which his arguments are built. He emphasized this in Franken’s Ethical Framework focusing on benevolence and justice. He further emphasizes the need to develop moral autonomy for making suitable moral decisions. He espoused this in Benevolence Justice. This is a complete normative framework because Frankena provides the theoretical evidence to the structure (Olson, 2007). The implications of this normative framework The moral good of a person and his actions can only be justified when the motives translates to into doing something positive. Therefore, he is compelled by a sense of duty and a strong commitment to keep trying doing something positive for achievement of encouraging results. Frankena asserts that the ethics behind his framework is somebody does his duty willingly regardless of the difficult situations faced. Nonetheless, the key pillars of his framework that include justice and benevolence ought to be given equal consideration. To a therapist, this is an important requirement, as it will offer the guiding principle upon which he operates with the patient. It will also ensure credibility and professionalism to all the clinical outcomes that a psychotherapist performs on a patient. Interactional Nature of Consciousness     The normal state of consciousness is not something natural or given, but a highly compound construction, a specific means for coping with our surroundings and the people in it (Bandura, 2007). Consequently, Bandura emphasizes on cognition and therefore gives attention to the nature of consciousness. Cognition refers to a group of faculties that allow mind to react to external stimuli and determine the preferred action. These faculties are inclusive of perception, learning, memory and reasoning (Bandura, 2007). Additionally, an individual will perceive something and later store in the mind. After processing the information, the individual will learn something innovative and later decide on the next action to take. Therefore, all these components constitute cognition. Cognition processes inputs and derives outputs and it is apparent it has invaluable advantage because it dictates modeling and testing deeds in a scientific dimension compared to studies related to consciousness. Moreover, language is still a cognitive process and an integral component for humans. Bandura affirms that an individual learns behavior from the surrounding by observational learning. Children tend to observe models around them acting in diverse ways. In contemporary society, prominent models including parents and teachers surround children as they grow up. These children tend to monitor these models and adopt their behavior. At a later stage, they imitate the observed behavior despite the behavior being gender apposite or not. Role of religion on Personal Development Religion and individual development are indivisible. Religion offers guidelines to the believers regarding life and after life (Olson, 2007). It offers the essential incentives for participating in industrious actions during lifetime. Additionally, it discloses the unlimited dimensions of an individual life and emphasizes the significant goals and values that are components of human deeds. Therefore, this realization proves to be the validation of human life and its ethnic activity. Moreover, it offers models that are significant for development of individual human life. These models are beneficial in transition of individual growth in a mode that makes humans divine like their creator. In every religion, individuals associate with the supernatural forces through prayer and rituals. Furthermore, these approaches strengthen the human spirit in its quest to liberate itself from the persistently threatening evil that tends to weaken their creativity. Religion influences productivity using particular individual traits including ethics, honesty and prudence. Furthermore, these traits may prompt individuals to be either productive or not. According to various religions, hard work is the norm. The Bible reveals that work is a responsibility to God and urges individuals to employ diligent effort in their work. Believers regard work as a mode of shunning immoral life and glorifying God. Based on a religious view, an individual must evade idle conversation and fruitless recreation to have maximum time to perform his or her work. The believers regard individuals who are idle and unproductive as evil. According to (Olson, 2007), religion enhances personal development by endorsing a positive approach towards honesty. This is because it emphasizes the need of living truthfully. By doing so, it enables individuals to develop a sincere attitude in their interactions. Furthermore, it increases trust levels and minimizes corruption levels that are crucial personal development. Besides, religion leads to improved health levels because it discourages errant activities such as drug use, gambling and alcohol consumption. For example, Islam discourages alcohol and gambling. This act promotes positive personal development. Religion also influences personal development by promoting education levels. It encourages individuals to be literate. This gives them the capacity to read religious teachings. According to numerous faith systems, the prime definition of God is knowledge and intelligence. Therefore, religion expects believers to comprehend and reflect the statement that exemplifies knowledge and intelligence. This plays a noteworthy part during personal development. Additionally, faith is a comprehension of nature and reality. It is an understanding of what exists as opposed to that appears to exist. Therefore, it is the concrete reality beyond what individuals perceive using the mind. It is a blend of perceived information, disclosed information and unknown facts. Faith gives meaning to human existence and offers the purpose in a person’s life. Therefore, it is an integral component when influencing personal development. Grounding of the Normative Framework meta-ethically The normative framework is grounded Meta ethically because it primarily deals with moral judgment and focuses on the overall development of an individual. This overall development comprises of aspects such as rational and moral development. Additionally, the moral development of an individual is significant towards society development and it is only attainable by character development (Olson, 2007). Character starts at home and requires the guidance of influential models such as parents and relatives. Bandura’s work seeks to increase awareness on the significance of models during child rearing because they are responsible for inculcating imperative values that signifies cultural heritage. A child learns the earliest impressions of morality by watching decisions that his parents make and the way his counterparts act. Therefore, early moral development proves to be an observation process. Key clinical outcomes and objectives The prime objective of Bandura’s theory is providing a model on how humans learn. According to him, individuals learn effectively by observing others. However, modeling refers to this act of observing the behavior of influential individuals. After developing a model for individual learning, the theory assists education theorists in establishing efficient learning strategies. A better understanding of human learning enhances development of a curriculum that has the ability to cater for student’s needs. Additionally, another objective of the theory relates to marketers because they can utilize Bandura’s theory to determine consumer behavior. According to (Bandura, 1998) individuals should believe that their behavior could alter to enable them take an alternative action through self-efficacy. Another imperative objective is behavior alteration with an intention of upholding a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, specialists use this theory in encouraging patients consume healthy diets or become drug free. If the patients believe more in their personal self-efficacy to quit some habits, they have a high likelihood of altering their behavior (Bandura, 1998). Personally, I am not convinced with the outcomes of Bandura’s theory. This theory explains that an individual primarily learns behavior by observing others and still by environmental interaction. Through observing, an individual has the capacity to establish models of proper behavior in the mind and form expectations regarding the probable outcomes of exhibiting that behavior. Since this theory emphasizes on an interaction amid the environment and individual, it follows that personal situations will influence behavior and any alteration in the situation will apparently change behavior. However, for many individuals, behavior is consistent despite individual situation and minor alterations in the surrounding will not guarantee an alteration in behavior. In addition, this theory greatly emphasizes on cognitive abilities including modeling and establishing expectations thereby ignoring hormonal determinants (Chance, P., & Krause, M. A. 2009). Personally, Bandura should have focused on biological determinants because they have the capacity to shape the manner in which individuals’ reason and make decisions despite cognition. Critical Evaluation Bandura’s theory adequately focuses on learning that happens in a social context. Therefore, he considers that individuals learn from each other using concepts such as observational learning and modeling. While communicating on moral progress of children, he stressed on the significance of influential models in developing children morality. This translates that children will use the above concepts in developing suitable character. Therefore, Bandura’s theory provides a vibrant interrelationship that revolves around individual personality and surrounding. Additionally, this theory emphasizes that individuals primarily learn by observing and establishing expectations regarding behavior outcome. Through self-regulation, an individual will achieve the capacity to alter their behavior using self-efficacy (Olson, 2007). Moreover, the concept of self-efficacy is applicable to the real world. For example, if an individual is counseling others regarding their uncouth behavior, this concept will allow these individuals to self-regulate their negative behavior. Since this theory emphasizes on the role of observation on learned behavior, it creates an opportunity for cross-cultural analysis. It does not make judgments regarding both morality and values but focuses on learning of particular moral codes. Furthermore, it offers a framework for comprehending how certain behavior forms can be more acceptable in given situations or cultures compared to others. Conclusion Conclusively, Bandura’s theory is attributable to criminology. He believed that the simplest way of learning aggression is through behavior modeling. Moreover, he argued that individuals particularly children acquire aggressive responses because of observing others either through the surrounding or media. Furthermore, he stated that a large population believed that aggression could create reinforcements. Consequently, these reinforcements can result to reduction of tension or gain praise from others. He believed that early diagnosis of aggression in children would deter them from becoming adult criminals. References Bandura, A. (1998). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York, NY: Freeman. Bandura, A. (2007). Psychological modeling: Conflicting theories. New Brunswick, N.J: Aldine transaction. Chance, P., & Krause, M. A. (2009). Learning and behavior: Active learning edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Olson, R. P. (2007). The Reconciled Life: A Critical Theory of Counseling. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Publishing Group. Shaffer, D. R. (2009). Social and personality development. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. Ziegler, S. M. (2005). Theory-directed nursing practice. New York, NY: Springer Pub. Co. Read More