Social Learning Theory

• Social Learning assumes that we learn from the people in our social environment through ‘modelling’ (copying social role models).
• The social learning can also be called observational learning.
• The social learning theory (SLT) suggests that learning is through observation, imitation and modelling.
• The SLT also suggests that vicarious reinforcement can be used to aid learning.
• Albert Bandura devised the social learning theory (SLT).
• Modelling takes place when an individual identifies with a role and imitates their behaviour.
• Vicarious reinforcement is when someone observes another person receiving reinforcement, so imitates their behaviour to hopefully receive the same reward.
• The social learning theory was devised in the 1960s following behaviourism.
• The SLT states that learning can occur directly (classical & operant conditioning) and indirectly.
• Bandura introduced mediational processes which are mental (cognitive) factors that intervene in the learning process to determine whether a new behaviour is acquired or not.
• Bandura introduced the ARRM theory in 1977.
• Bandura created the ARRM theory to explain mediational processes in social learning.
• Mediational processes proposed by Bandura are attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
• In the ARRM theory attention (A) is whether we notice the behaviour.
• In the ARRM theory retention (R) whether we retain and remember the behaviour.
• In the ARRM theory reproduction (R) is whether we are able to perform/ reproduce the behaviour.
• In the ARRM theory motivation (M) is whether the perceived rewards outweigh the perceived costs, so how motivated we are to reproduce the behaviour.
• Bandura (1961) demonstrated his ideas using his Bobo doll experiment.