Media Research Paper About Mass Communication Theory

Social Learning Theory
Name
Institutional affiliation
Social Learning Theory
Introduction
It was contributed in 1925 by Albert Bandura. It combines the cognitive and behavioral learning theories. Cognitive learning theory explains that the processes of learning can be interpreted by analyzing the processes of the brain/mind. It posits that it is through effective cognitive processes that learning is made easier and the storage of new information is done in the mind over time. It also argues that ineffective cognitive processes lead to difficulties in gathering new knowledge and are evident throughout the lifetime of an individual. Behavioral learning theory only focuses on the behavior that is observable which paying little attention to the independence of the mind. It argues that people learn by observing and studying what other people are doing. Albert Bandura combined the two theories to develop a theory that argues that people learn through both the combination of recording and adapting to the environment and the operations of the mind. The theory argues that people learn through the observation of other individual’s behavior and the results of those behaviors. He posits that people learn via observing what others are doing and from the results of the actions, they create a code that will act as a guide for action.
Principles of social learning theory
Learning by observation
The theory argues that people learn through observing the action of other people around them. For example, the character of a child heavily depends on the people who love them. A child will observe the actions of other people and try to imitate what they are doing. It is through observation that people can draw the line between what is wrong and what it right. This is seconded by the fact that they will choose the actions that have the best results and choose to follow them leaving behind those that they do not like (Huang, 2016).
Learning is an internal process
It argues that learning is an internal process which may or may not have an impact on the behavior of an individual. As earlier stated people will often choose the actions which have the best results. They simply do not copy all the actions of the people and end up being totally different personalities of the people around them. For instance, a person might grow up in a gang-infested neighborhood. But after seeing the results of gangbanging they choose to focus on education and to create a better life for themselves. It argues that learning is an internal process which may or may not have an impact on the behavior of a person. Others might see the gang life and become attracted to it because of the fast money and profits, however other might choose to avoid it at all costs.
Achievement of goals
Albert states that people act in the way they do to achieve the goals they have set. The main reason why people behave in the way they do is for them to attain certain goals they may have set in the past (Rhee, & Park, 2010). For one to be successful in life, they should set goals they need to achieve. These goals are very significant in the life of an individual during self-evaluation. They are a saying that says failing to plan is planning to fail, and the first step...