According to cognitive and social theory, a person adopts new behaviors enabled by observing other people’s actions as a result of the learning process. These are the central pillars of social learning theory, which argues that cognitive processes play a critical role in learning and socializing. Therefore, it suggests that one can learn without direct reinforcement (Bandura, 1977). Through observational learning, the individual concentrates on the object, stores the model, reproduces the action, and motivates himself/herself to be self-disciplined, all of which leads to the acquisition of complex behaviors. This piece is devoted to the application of social learning theory and principles of observational learning, which are applied to a workplace learning experience among employees (Meeuwis et al., 2023). By analyzing this process, we can realize that observational learning is an integral contributor to the advancement of my professionalism, initiative, and leadership skills.
Social Learning Theory
Albert Bandura’s social learning theory reflects the fact that our learning happens when it is within a social context and wholly or partly could come through observation or just oral instruction, that is, without motor reproduction or direct reinforcement. Bandura edited the role of the cognitive factors to be the most important ones; he said that we as learners also observe others’ behaviors and the outcomes of those behaviors. We get what we call the social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1977). Social learning theory explains the notion of modeling, i.e., the reaction of individuals is like the behavioral and emotional response of the others whom they observe for adopting the learning processes that include attention, retention, copying, and motivation (Bandura, 1977). Social learning theory underpins various disciplines such as psychology, education, and nursing, demonstrating its widespread applicability and importance in concerns explaining and understanding human behavioral patterns and cognitive processes.
Observational Learning
Learning by observation suggests that research is primarily about behavior acquisition through observing other people in a way that can be separated into stages like attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. This type of learning is known to be effective for the development of such skills as social behavior and complex problem-solving without involving the student in the actual practice or experiments (Meeuwis, M. et al, 2023). Such a process entails concentration on a model, the internalization of the behavior via attending, retention of the behavior within one’s memory, attempting to carry out the behavior, and the demonstration of motivation associated with the outcomes from the primary behavior or action.
Independent Applications and Implications
Educational Outcomes and Role Models (Ahn et al., 2020) This research suggests that role models are a critical determinant of student achievement, which elucidates how the influence of educators and peers shapes academic and social aspects for students. Furthermore, positive role models are considered to be a vital factor in developing an environment where the learning process is effective (Ahn et al., 2020). According to the study of Cognitive Foundations in Teaching and Learning (Gweon, 2021), inferential, observational learning possesses the nature of social learning (Gweon, 2021). This study especially stresses the cognitive aspect, which is relatively quite involved in the education process, indicating that deep thinking is required on what moral intentions motivate a person to do this or that; hence, knowledge of the learning progress becomes deeper.
According to Han et al. (2022), such research can provide evidence and guidance on practical applications of observational learning in physical education. The study also aims to demonstrate the impact of observation on acquiring motor skills and shows how observation can remarkably enhance motor skill acquisition, passing on the effectiveness of theory in the physical development of learners (Han et al., 2022).
According to Han et al. (2022), such research can provide evidence and guidance on practical applications of observational learning in physical education. The study also aims to demonstrate the impact of observation on acquiring motor skills. It shows how observation can enhance motor skill acquisition remarkably, passing on the effectiveness of theory in the physical development of learners (Han et al., 2022).In terms of Physical Education and Motor Skills, as research by Han et al. (2022) shows, practice with observational learning is suggested, and how simple watching enhances the learning of motor skills is the case study that illustrates how the theory works in physical development (Han et al., 2022).
According to work by Han et al. (2022), titled “Physical Education and Acquisition of Motor Skills,”, the practical demonstration of observational learning in physical education is conducted, and it is proved that observational learning can significantly affect the acquisition of motor skills as well (Han et al., 2022). The practical nature of observational learning in physical education, as exposed in the Han et al. 2022 paper analysis, is that observation can be used to enhance motor skills by the learners to a great extent, as demonstrated in the theory (Han et al., 2022).
According to an article by Han et al. (2022), the “Physical Education and Motor Skills” review exemplifies the advantages of observational learning in physical education, and it illustrates how observation can be the key to significantly improving motor skills, showcasing the theory’s usefulness in physical development (Han et al., 2022). Through pain perception (conducted by Meeuwis et al. in 2023), the observation of behavioral learning via the observation of other people’s pain management can be investigated, expanding social learning theory into healthcare.
Observational Learning at Work: A Personal Example
In a recent team meeting, I witnessed a superior fellow associate’s positive influence in making a point of communication effectiveness by assisting his colleagues. This fellow was a good communicator because he was precise, to the point, and open about communication, so all of us in the team understood our roles and committed to working with everyone else. After keenly witnessing, I successfully adopted these communication strategies by being keen at observing such behaviors and the good results they achieved, like teamwork, which boosted the success of the project. Through this process, I take into account social learning theory, which states that my behavior, which I see as a role model within my work environment, helped me to gain communication skills.
Application and Reflection
The skills obtained through observational learning, above all, depict the fact that they have a long-term influence on professional development and leadership. In addition to that, my initiative will be abundant if I replicate the communication strategies of my upper senior colleague by leading a project’s discussion, taking charge of designing the project work environment and making sure that all the project directives are clear. Advantageously, these skills prove to be indispensable during networking chats, as coordinated and well-expressed communication helps to build professional connections and opens leadership opportunities to take place. Pondering over the journey of this educational process, one can discover that social learning and modeling are the two keys contributing to personal and professional development, both offering alternative ways of acquiring attitude and competencies through the assimilation of observed behaviors and skills learned by example.
Conclusion
Observational learning, which is suggested by social learning theory, provides a solid approach to learning by just observing new skills and behaviors. The members of small groups could learn and integrate with the different complex behaviors without having a personal real experience. The application of these theories in the professional realm, through my learning experience at work, is clearly depicted in my getting trained to assume executive roles as a result of observational learning. This element of learning can aid in the development of individual initiative and progress to leadership prospects. With the passing of each day and talent, we gain more and more knowledge from others and unravel the mysterious power of social learning, which helps us walk on the road to our future jobs.
References
Ahn, J. N., Hu, D., & Vega, M. (2020). “Do as I do, not as I say”: Using social learning theory to unpack the impact of role models on students’ outcomes in education: Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 14(2), e12517.
Gweon, H. (2021). Inferential social learning: Cognitive foundations of human social learning and teaching. Trends in cognitive sciences, 25(10), 896–910.
Han, Y., Syed Ali, S. K. B., & Ji, L. (2022). Use of observational learning to promote motor skill learning in physical education: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16), 10109.
Meeuwis, S. H., Wasylewski, M. T., Bajcar, E. A., Bieniek, H., Adamczyk, W. M., Honcharova, S., … & Bąbel, P. (2023). Learning pain from others: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on placebo hypoalgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia induced by observational learning. Pain, 164(11), 2383-2396.
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