Investigating the role of observational learning on the reading status of high school male students based on Bandura's social cognitive theory

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of observational learning on the status of reading high school students based on Bandura's cognitive-social theory. Methodology: This applied research was carried out using a survey method. The statistical population of this study consisted of all high school students in Chenaran city. The research sample was selected using cluster sampling method and 260 questionnaires were returned. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect the research data and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha test (0.876). Results: More than 60% of students believed that, in the community, people who read, do not have the appropriate social respect and position. Also, most students believed that success and wealth could not be achieved with reading. Leisure reading had a very low status in their leisure time. The results showed that 83.5% of respondents read no book during the day at all. Also, Students prefer electronic resources, especially social networks, to print ones. The results also showed that students were less likely to take educated and readers as their model and most of them considered athletes and artists instead. Other findings of this study showed that observing the reading behavior of others had a significant effect on the increasing of students’ desire for reading. Conclusion: As people take others as a model for their many behaviors, the reading behavior of individuals can also be affected by observing the others’ behavior, and this can affect the amount and desire for reading.

Keywords

• social cognitive theory
• observational learning
• leisure reading
• educational reading
• students