Bandura Learning Theory

The learning perspective is the science that studies the environmental and experiential influences on a person’s actions and behavior. In the learning perspective, scientists have proposed two ideas that explain why people behave the way they do; these are behaviorism and social-cognitive learning theory. Behaviorism includes two theories: classical conditioning, and operant conditioning (McLeod, Psychology Perspectives, 2007). Classical conditioning proposes that behavior, attitudes, and responses are developed by associations. For example, a dog can be conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell if every time that the bell is rung, food appears. Operant conditioning, on the contrary, is the theory that suggests that behavior, attitudes, …show more content…

These are observational learning and mediational processes (McLeod, Bandura- Social Learning Theory, 2011). According to Albert Bandura, human behavior is influenced by the observations made on others’ behaviors. For example, if parents have a certain concept about something, the child will adapt this concept/ opinion. In mediational processes, however, Bandura says that before a person imitates behavior, he first considers the influence. Thus, there would be an input in the individual, which is the environmental factor, followed by a mental process by the individual, and concluded by an output, the individual’s behavior. The Learning Perspective in Biology Biology, simply put, is the science of life (Bagley, 2014). It encompasses the study of the structure and functions of the organelles in cells, to the growth, development, function, origin, evolution, and distribution of living organisms. The learning perspective is closely related to Biology since it studies the behavior of living organisms and the effect the environment has on them. Observational Learning in …show more content…

Operant conditioning comes in to play a role in the development of this crucial skill quite often in the classroom. The lecturer either commends critical thinking or rebukes the lack of it, not only in report writing, but also in the answering of questions in the classroom, in quizzes, and in tests. In Biology, there is no room for laziness, and lecturers ensure that the students realize this. When asked a question, they do their best to answer as best as possible to avoid being humiliated and disappointing the lecturer, and consequently, themselves. They take pride in receiving approval from their lecturer when they have thought considerably and critically about a circumstance and have come to a correct conclusion. In report writing, quizzes, and tests, their ability to think critically affects the students’ grades. Thus, they attempt to do as well as possible either to avoid a failing grade, or to achieve an excellent