First Theory
What is the Name of the Theory?
A theory that will highlight the activities involved among the women of color in higher education is social learning.
Who Is The Author or Creator of the Theory?
Albert Bandura created this theory alongside his colleagues. Bandura wanted to understand how social-cognitive processes can influence the acquisition of knowledge (Ahn et al., 2019). He investigated the psychoanalytic approach, developmental stages, and direct experience of operant conditioning as some of the elements that foster social learning.
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How Has the Theory Changed and Evolved Since its Original Development?
Over the years, the theory has evolved. At first, Bandura was concerned with the way people behaved after observing the traits of the individuals who are close to them (Ahn et al., 2019). The social learning theory predicted that such people are likely to attempt to mimic the behaviors that they observe. Initially, this theory applied to children, and it explained their behavioral outcomes based on their interactions with members of the social group. Today, this theory defines the behavioral traits among adults; it includes the element of role modeling as one of the factors that influence positive behaviors (Ahn et al., 2019). It highlights the qualities of a role model and the motivational process.
How Might this Theory Help Frame Your Work?
Indeed, this theory will frame my work since it will highlight how women of color in higher education perceive the idea of being taught by black female teachers who are well-informed in a given field. This theory will highlight the qualities that women in higher education admire and value.
How Can Your Work Contribute to a Deeper Development of this Theory?
My work will expound the observational learning processes such as attention, retention, motor reproduction, and motivation, and reinforcement. The attentional stage will highlight the students’ perception of success and relation to the role model. If the students believe that they can achieve similar success, then there will be a positive behavioral change. My work will also explain how role models in education impact behavioral changes among female students. Some of the motivational factors that will be covered will include a sense of belonging and self-efficacy among the observers. My work will define how the learning environment can be adjusted to accommodate and motivate more women of color to seek higher education.
Second Theory
What is the Name of the Theory?
Experiential learning theory can also enhance the learning process among women of color in institutions of higher learning.
Who is the Author or Creator of the Theory?
John Dewey devised this theory after noticing that the traditional education system that imposed adult standards and subject matter and methodologies were no longer relevant to the young people. This theory insists that young learners prefer socially engaging learning experiences (Williams, 2017). Education is supposed to be a process of living instead of focusing so much on the future.
How Has the Theory Changed and Evolved Since its Original Development?
This theory has not changed over the years. The reason is that most schools do not favor this kind of learning process. Dewey insisted that education should not dwell on the curriculum, but instead, it should focus on the social learning and experiences of the learners (Williams, 2017). Although this concept has not changed, it has been reinstated in some learning environments. For example, Responsive Classroom is one of the research-based approaches that reinforce a link between academic achievement and social-emotional learning (Williams, 2017). Dewey’s theory has been implemented in classroom settings through the creation of safe and warm learning environments and including behavioral expectations in the learning process.
How Might this Theory Help Frame Your Work?
This theory will frame my work since it will highlight how the learning environments at the institutions of higher learning can encourage more women of color to take part in education. It will examine the factors that make women feel safe and appreciated while at university.
How Can Your Work Contribute to a Deeper Development of this Theory?
My work will significantly contribute to the more in-depth development of this theory since it will expound on the social factors that women of color find pleasing. Previous studies have focused on the applicability of this theory among children and young adults. However, my work will first explain the reason for the low number of women of color at the institutions of higher education. Then it will point out how social learning improves their experiences.
Third Theory
What is the Name of the Theory?
The reflection and learning theory is also crucial to my topic of interest.
Who is the Author or Creator of the Theory?
Donald Schon devised this theory, which emphasizes the need for self-reflection as a learning process. According to Schon, a person should reflect on their work at the end of the day to determine whether they have learned or performed their duties per the required standards ( Szabla et al., 2017 ). This process involves a mentor or a close friend to ensure that a person uncovers all the issues that may affect the learning process. Another concept of this theory is that learning systems such as universities are subject to change due to technology and changes in values ( Szabla et al., 2017 ). Hence, leaners should not only reflect on their daily actions but also be accustomed to organizational changes as part of the learning process.
How Has The Theory Changed and Evolved Since its Original Development?
This theory has not changed over the years. Instead, it has been applied in organizations such as governments and universities whenever there are changes. Schon insisted that people have the power to transform institutions or learning systems in response to given situations and requirements ( Szabla et al., 2017 ). Up to date, the principles of Schon are still applicable.
How Might this Theory Help Frame Your Work?
This theory will frame my work in two ways. At first, it will highlight how women of color can initiate changes in learning institutions to accommodate them and their needs. This aspect will define how an organization can learn from its members and respond to their interests. Also, this theory will highlight the effectiveness of the learning process. Self-reflection will be used as a motivational factor for women of color who pursue higher learning.
How Can Your Work Contribute to a Deeper Development of this Theory?
My work will foster the more profound development of this theory since it will explain how women of color in higher education can influence change. This project will enlist the factors that will impact positive changes in learning systems. Also, it will establish a relationship between the learning process and the acquisition of knowledge.
References
Ahn, J. N., Hu, D., & Vega, M. (2020, December 20). “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. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12517
Szabla, D. B., Pasmore, W. A., Barnes, M. A., & Gipson, A. N. (Eds.). (2017). The Palgrave handbook of organizational change thinkers . Palgrave Macmillan.
Williams, M. K. (2017). John Dewey in the 21st century. Journal of Inquiry and Action in Education , 9 (1), 7. https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/jiae/vol9/iss1/7
