Social learning theory

• I’m the social learning theory Albert Bandura ( 1977 ) agrees with the behaviourist learning theories of classical conditioning and operant conditioning however he has two important ideas:

  • mediating processes occur between stimuli and responses
  • behaviour is learned from the environment through the process of observational learning
• In a nutshell Bandura claimed people learned through observation and imitation learning can occur directly through conditioning or indirectly
• Indirect learning : an individual observed the behaviour taking place the learner may imitate that behaviour but this generally only happens if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded rather than punished
• • The learner observes the behaviour as well as the consequence
  • this is known as vicarious reinforcement
  • reinforcement not directly experienced but observed in someone else
• SLT is often described as the bridge between traditional learning theory (e.g behaviourism) and the cognitive approach . Bandura believes that humans are active information processors and think about the relationship between their behaviour and its consequences
• Observational learning could not occur unless cognitive processes were at work . These mental factors mediate (intervene) in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired . There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes . This occurs between observing the behaviour ( stimulus ) and imitating it or not ( response )
• four mediational processes

  • attention
  • retention
  • motor reproduction
  • motivation
• Attention and retention relate to the learning of the behaviour motor reproduction and motivation to the performance of the behaviour
• What is the definition of attention in the context of behavior observation?


  Attention is the extent to which we notice behavior.
• Why is attention considered important in behavior observation?


  Because we observe many behaviors daily, and many are not noteworthy.
• What was the year of Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment?


  1961
• What did the control group in Bandura's experiment watch?


  • A video of an adult playing with toys
  • The adult's behavior was non-violent
• What was the behavior of children in the control group when placed in the room of toys?


  Children did not act violently.
• What was the behavior of children in the experimental group when they interacted with the Bobo doll?


  Children attacked the doll using the same methods as the adult.
• What additional behaviors did children in the experimental group exhibit besides imitating the adult's actions?


  Children also used other methods, such as using a toy gun.
• What conclusion did Bandura draw from the Bobo Doll experiment?


  Children imitated the adult role model.
• What evidence did Bandura state his experiment provided regarding children's learning?


  It provided evidence of mediation processes in learning through imitation.
• SLT assumptions : in addition to classical and operant conditioning ( direct experiences ) SLT proposed people learn through observation and imitation
• • if a behaviour is seen to be rewarded vicarious reinforcement occurs - when you imitate behaviours based on someone else’s behaviour
  • Makes us want to imitate in anticipation for a similar reward
• Role models

  • Similar characteristics ( age , sex , interests etc)
  • High status
  • Attractive
  • For children - parents or older sibling ( same sex )
• Role models don’t need to be present in the room - they could be someone on social media
• Retention - how well the behaviour was remembered
• Motor reproduction - how able the observer is to reproduce the behaviour
• Motivation - the will to carry out the behaviour observed - usually determined by whether it was punished or not
• Strength of SLT

  • The recognition of thinking before acting - shows cognitive factors in learning
  • either classical nor operant conditioning offer an adequate explanation of learning by themselves
  • Humans and animals rely on the behaviour of others to make judgments about their own actions and when it is appropriate to perform them
  • Learning would be very dangerous if we only relied on the effects of our own actions to inform us what to do - Bandura 1977
  • Recognition of cognitive factors in learning means that SLT provides a more comprehensive account of human learning
• Limitation of SLT

  • Criticised for not making references to biological factors
  • Bandura maintained that learning itself was determined by the environment
  • Recent research suggests that observational learning could be the result of mirror neurons which allows us to emphasise and imitate
  • Suggests that biological factors are underemphasised
• Limitation of bobo doll experiment

  • Evidence is based on young children’s behaviour in lab studies - lacks ecological validity
  • Artificial - demand characteristic - sole purpose of a bobo doll is to hit it - not imitating aggressive behaviour
  • Tells us very little about children / adults everyday life