ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter was to provide an overview of social learning theory and its evolution, to review the application of social learning theory in coach development, and to articulate how engaging in such initiatives can empower coaches to become lifelong learners. The first part of this chapter traces social learning theory through the last three decades, introducing the key concepts, and in some cases how these concepts have been developed over time. Next, the literature review allows us to better understand how the use of social learning theory for coach development has evolved as researchers work to make sense of the potential of the theory for coach learning and development. In general, early studies explored how the concepts of social learning might apply in the coach learning environment. Then researchers studied organic groups to ascertain if they might be characterised as a community of practice, as well as intervening to cultivate CoPs. In the last eight or nine years, the continued exploration of how the theory has been used in coach development has resulted in some in-depth examinations of coach learning using the value creation framework in different ways.
