The social learning theory was proposed by Albert Bandura and emphasizes the value of observing, modelling, and imitating the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional responses of others (McLeod, 2016). Social learning theory considers both environmental and cognitive factors in the influence of human learning and behavior (McLeod, 2016). Badura’s (1986) work on learning of behavior suggests that learning is a cognitive and active process, unlike what behaviorism and psychoanalysis suggests (PSU WC, L 10 p.3). His theory was based on the idea that people learn behavior by observing others, processing what they observed, and then producing their own model of that behavior (PSU WC, L 10 p.3). This process is described as observational learning and is the backbone of his social learning theory (PSU WC, L 10 p.3). Observational learning consists of four main components: attention, retention, motor reproduction, and motivation/opportunity (PSU WC, L10 p. 3).
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Process-of-observational-learning-Source-Solomon-et-al-1999_fig2_246546934
School-related aggression is a heavily researched topic which continues its presence in modern education (Gruman et al., 2017). Bullying is a main form of school-related aggression and “involves a disparity of power between the bully and victim(s), occurs repeatedly, can take a direct form, such as hitting, kicking, or name-calling, or can be more indirect, such as spreading rumors about another person or ostracizing someone” (Kowalski & Limber, 2007; Wang et al., 2009 as cited in Gruman et al., 2017). Because of today’s technological advances, education systems must be concerned with a new form of bullying, known as cyberbullying. Cyberbullying occurs in an electronic context such as e-mail, text messaging, or social media websites (Gruman et al., 2017). This is different from traditional bullying in the sense that victims can be subjected to an attack anywhere at anytime and the perpetrator can remain anonymous (Gruman et al., 2017).
Kayla S. Shafer and Michael J. Silverman (2013) suggests music therapy as a prevention and intervention for bullies and victims of bullying. In this scholarly article, Shafer and Silverman applied social learning theory as a framework to conceptualize the behaviors and cognitions of bullies and victims (2013). In doing this, authors reviewed various literature that determines the characteristics and behaviors of bullies and victims (Shafer & Silverman, 2013). As a results, authors proposed a social learning theory approach to music therapy interventions (Shafer & Silverman, 2013).
To conclude, bullying is not the only form of school-related aggression, another form can be labeled as school shooting. However, Bandura’s social learning theory provides a better understanding as to why individuals behave aggressively. If a child observes aggressive behavior and it is not punished or maybe even rewarded, then that behavior will be seen as desirable to that child (Bandura, 1983 as cited in Gruman et al., 2017). And the social learning theory acts as a framework when creating interventions to reduce school-related aggression.
References
Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. (2017). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems. SAGE.
Mcleod, S. (2016). Albert Bandura’s social learning theory. Simply Psychology. Retrieved March 23, 2022, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/bandura.html
Pennsylvania State University World Campus. (2022). Lesson 10: Education
Shafer, K. S., & Silverman, M. J. (2013). Applying a social learning theoretical framework to music therapy as a prevention and intervention for bullies and victims of bullying. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 40(5), 495-500. doi:10.1016/j.aip.2013.07.004
Very good post about the dangers of bullying. For some it is considered part of the experience everyone has to deal with growing up but there clearly are causes and complications to it. Might be social issues at home or in school or even a more medical cause.
Reference: https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/subfields/teaching-learning
I think that you make a lot of great points in this blog. In the ending of your blog you mention that school shooting can be a form of bullying from of school-related agression. I would like to respectfully argue that I don’t think that school shootings are necessarily a product of learned behavior for watching a peer, like Banduras model suggests (Gruman, 2016). I think instead they are more rare and result for psychological complications.
Applied Social Psychology : Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems. Jamie A. Gruman, Frank W. Schneider, and Larry M. Coutts . SAGE Publications . 2016