social learning theory

• what’s the social learning theory

  • learn through observation and limitation
  • cognitive aspect of learning
• what’s ARMM

  A - attention: notice behaviour through observation of role model

  R - retention: how well behaviour is remembered

  M - motor reproduction: ability of the observer to imitate

  M - motivation: continue the behaviour
• what factors do we consider before imitation occurs?

  vicarious reinforcement: learning behaviour by seeing consequences and good

  identification: likely to choose models who we share similar characteristics with
• what’s banduras bobo doll research? (1961)

  • aim is to test idea that children could learn to become aggressive through observing and imitating another person behaving aggressively
  • sample: 72 children (36 both gender) from stanford uni
  • stages: modelling, aggression arousal and test for delayed imitation
• method of banduras research


  children aged between 3 and 5 saw an adult behave aggressively or not aggressively towards a large doll. they then had the chance to play with a range of toys including the doll.
• results of the bobo doll

  children who observed aggressive behaviour were more aggressive. children showed more imitation of a same sex model and boys performed more aggression than girls. boys more likely to imitate same sex model.
• what’s banduras second research

  • divided participants into 3 groups each seeing a diff consequence after aggression
  • lowest levels of imitation if model was punished (vicarious punishment)
  • biggest levels of aggression produced by models who were praised for it and no consequences shown
• strengths and weaknesses of the social learning theory (evaluation)

  😍- uses lab studies

  😭- underestimates influence of biological factors

  😍- real world applications

  😭- artificial settings and low ecological validity

  😍- less determinist than behaviourist approach