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Social learning theory is the concept that learning occurs in social settings, such as the family unit, school, or work environment. In essence, it is the idea that people can learn from observing one another’s behaviors, without necessarily repeating those behaviors. It is considered to be a compromise between behavioral theory and cognitive theory.

There are three central concepts to social learning theory: First, that observing the behavior of others and the outcomes of that behavior can be a learning experience. Second, that this learning is not necessarily expressed by a change in behavior—that is to say, that an individual can learn by observation alone, and that changed behavior might not occur. Instead, the evidence of change may only be cognitive. This leads to the final concept, that cognition is a major part of learning. Reinforcement or punishment, and the awareness and expectation of such, can affect behavior.

Expanding upon these core concepts, we first address the idea that observation of others is a learning experience. Social learning theory states that mimicking or modeling the behaviors of others is an important part of learning. This modeling can be reinforced in several ways.

First, the person or persons that the individual mimics might reinforce the lesson. For example, a child mimicking his father’s food preferences may gain the favor of his father. Additionally, people other than the model of the behavior may reward the individual for their mimicry. Consider the mother who praises the child for being just like the older sibling.

The behaviors may also be self-encouraging—that is to say, the copied behavior is beneficial, and therefore self-reinforcing. A child who learns by observation to exercise regularly may feel the benefits of such a regimen and continue it.

Finally, and most importantly for social learning theory, the individual may be vicariously reinforced by viewing others being reinforced for the same action. Imagine a child viewing another student studying, and then seeing that student rewarded for that effort. Behavioral theory would not see this last instance as a learning instance, as the child has not expressed any learning through behavior. Social learning theory posits that the child has learned, and that its awareness of the consequences of certain behaviors is evidence of this fact.

The next two main concepts of social learning theory are tied closely together. First, that while learning may be expressed by behavior, it need not be so. Second, that there is a strong cognitive element to learning. Under social learning theory, cognition alone can sometimes be all that is required to demonstrate learning. The child, having viewed another’s actions, is aware of the consequences of certain behaviors. Even without expressing this learning through behavior, the child has the ability to foresee the consequences of certain behaviors, and can thus be said to have learned. In other instances, the expression of behavior leads to reinforcement. In this way, learning is comprised of both behavioral and cognitive elements. In this manner, social learning theory represents a compromise between behavioral and cognitive theories of learning. Through observation, an individual may learn from others. This learning may be expressed either in behaviors, or simply in cognitive change.

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