The Significance of Social Learning Theories in the Teaching of Social Studies Education (Published)
Social learning theories deal with the ability of learners to imbibe and display the behaviors exhibited within their environment. In the society, children are surrounded by many influential models, such as parents within the family, characters on mass/social media, friends within their peer group, religion, other members of the society, and the school. Children pay attention to some of these agents of socialization and imbibe the behaviours exhibited. At a later time they may imitate the behavior they have observed regardless of whether the behavior is appropriate or not, but there are a number of processes that make it more likely that a child will reproduce the behavior that its society deems appropriate for its sex and age. This paper discusses the implications of social learning theories on Social Studies education, and how Social Studies teachers can apply it towards achieving the goals and objectives of the discipline.
Keywords: Social learning theories and social studies education.