Social Learning Theories of

Vygotsky and Bandura

Applied Linguistics

Vygotskys Social Constructivist

Theory
Emphasizes the influences of cultural
and social contexts in learning
Supports a discovery model of
learning
Teacher has active role
Students mental abilities develop
naturally through paths of discovery

Vygotskys 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

Banduras Behavior Modeling

Theory
Agreed that environment causes behavior,
but believed that behavior also causes
environment- reciprocal determinism
Believed that environment, behavior and the
persons 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

References
Personality Theories Web page retrieved 8-28-02 at
http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/bandura.html
Vygotskys 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?
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Bastable, S. (2003), Nurse as Educator, Principles of Teaching
and Learning for Nursing Practice, 2nd ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones
& Barlett,