Social Cognitive Theory
Development is influenced by behavior, cognition, and environment according to Albert Bandura. Adolescents observe behaviors, which can change their ways of thinking or cognition. The environments that children grow up in also impact the behaviors that children posses when they are older. Bandura’s social cognitive theory involves observational learning, which is also called modeling. He thought that people learned by observing others, and then imitating them (Bandura 1986). For example children whose parents curse a lot may be more likely to curse themselves because they want to emulate their parents. In an experiment done by Bandura, parents were told to act violently towards a Bobo doll while the children watched. Then when the children were given the chance to play with the Bobo doll, they acted violently as well because they were imitating what they had seen (Isom, 1998). Observational learning is useful for molding the behavior of children by showing the children good behavior, so that they will imitate the same behavior.
Students in my class will learn mathematical concepts by watching demonstrations of them on the board, and then use what they learn to do their homework. This is modeling because the students watch what I do, and then imitate my methods for solving math problems. As a math teacher, I will use observational learning to shape behavior in the class. I will keep organized notes, and write out all of the steps when I solve problems, and hopefully my students will do the same (2.7). Writing my answers on the board will show students the notation that they should use, which will make students more likely to use correct notation in their homework and on exams. I want the students to learn good study habits through imitation as well. Before the first test I will show them how to study for math tests, so that they can imitate the study habits, and use them for studying in the future.