Behaviorism emphasizes the role of environmental factors in influencing behavior, to the near exclusion of innate or inherited factors. This amounts essentially to a focus on learning. We learn new behavior through classical or operant conditioning (collectively known as ‘learning theory’).

The primary tenet of behaviourism is that psychology should concern itself with the observable behaviour of people and animals, not with unobservable events that take place in their minds.

The behaviorist perspective is concerned with how environmental factors (called stimuli) affect observable behavior (called the response). The behaviorist perspective proposes two main processes whereby people learn from their environment: namely classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

Behaviorists study the psychology of behaviors, also known as behaviorism. Behaviorists will examine how behaviors adapt to stimuli.

Skinner’s theories have been implemented in school systems in a variety of ways. Teachers seeking to implement a reinforcement system in their classroom should use strategies such as a “token economy” to reward students immediately for behaviors that they are reinforcing.

Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning played a key role in helping psychologists to understand how behavior is learnt. It explains why reinforcements can be used so effectively in the learning process, and how schedules of reinforcement can affect the outcome of conditioning.

Social learning theory proposes that individuals learn by observing the behaviors of others (models). They then evaluate the effect of those behaviors by observing the positive and negative consequences that follow.

Skinner is regarded as the father of Operant Conditioning, but his work was based on Thorndike’s (1898) law of effect. According to this principle, behavior that is followed by pleasant consequences is likely to be repeated, and behavior followed by unpleasant consequences is less likely to be repeated.

Using Bandura’s social learning theory in the classroom can help students reach their potential. Students do not only imitate each other but also the teacher. Being a good role model, open to all the students, and holding the students to a level of responsibility will be imitated by the students according to Bandura.

Bandura asserts that most human behavior is learned through observation, imitation, and modeling.

Below are at least four ways to incorporate social learning into the classroom.

1. Attention and the Flipped Classroom.
2. Retention: Peers Teaching Peers and Peer Coaching.
3. Imitation through Real Plays.
4. Reinforcement and Motivation through Simulation and Gamification.

Social learning theory examples in everyday life are common, with one of the most evident being the behaviors of children, as they imitate family members, friends, famous figures and even television characters. If a child perceives there is a meaningful reward for such behavior, they will perform it at some point.

The modeling process includes the following steps in order for us to determine whether social learning is successful or not:

• Step 1: Attention. Social Cognitive Theory implies that you must pay attention for you to learn.
• Step 2: Retention.
• Step 3: Reproduction.
• Step 4: Motivation.

Of course, we don’t learn a behavior simply by observing a model. Bandura described specific steps in the process of modeling that must be followed if learning is to be successful: attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. First, you must be focused on what the model is doing—you have to pay attention.

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) started as the Social Learning Theory (SLT) in the 1960s by Albert Bandura. It developed into the SCT in 1986 and posits that learning occurs in a social context with a dynamic and reciprocal interaction of the person, environment, and behavior.

Social-cognitive theorists propose that people set goals for themselves and direct their behavior accordingly. They are motivated to accomplish those goals. In our dance example, the observer is motivated to learn the dance or else he wouldn’t be observing it time and time again.

The Social Cognitive Theory is composed of four processes of goal realization: self-observation, self-evaluation, self-reaction and self-efficacy (Redmond, 2010). The four components are interrelated and all have an effect on motivation and goal attainment (Redmond, 2010).

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is an interpersonal level theory developed by Albert Bandura that emphasizes the dynamic interaction between people (personal factors), their behavior, and their environments. This interaction is demonstrated by the construct called Reciprocal Determinism.

Social cognitive career theory (SCCT) is a relatively new theory that is aimed at explaining three interrelated aspects of career development: (1) how basic academic and career interests develop, (2) how educational and career choices are made, and (3) how academic and career success is obtained.

Donald Super’s career model is based on the belief that self-concept changes over time and develops as a result of experience. According to Super, self-concept changes over time and develops as a result of experience. As such, career development is lifelong.

Career development theories come from four main areas of study: Differential psychology. Personality. Sociology.

Developed by Robert W. Lent, Steven D. Brown, and Gail Hackett in 1994, SCCT incorporates a variety of concepts (e.g., interests, abilities, values, environmental factors) from earlier career development theories, employing Albert Bandura’s general social cognitive theory as a unifying framework.