Social Learning Theory

• The 4 mediational processes within social learning theory are:

  • attention - a behaviour must be attention-grabbing
  • retention - behaviour is remembered for later
  • reproduction - whether behaviour is physically or logistically able to be reproduced
  • motivation - if the percieved awards outweigh the percieved costs
• The Bobo doll study by Bandura took 36 boys and 36 girls aged 3-6 and were put into a room one at a time and exposed to an adult's behaviour. There were 3 conditions: aggression towards the doll, no aggression and no model (control). They were then allowed to play and their behaviour was observed. Those who had observed aggressive behaviour were more aggressive, especially boys. And there was a greater level of imitation if the role model was the same gender as the child
• Social learning theory states that people learn through observation and imitation of others within a social context. This can occur directly, through classical and operant conditioning, or indirectly by watching others being conditioned.
• One aspect of learning in SLT is Identification. This is where someone identifies with another person that they see as a role model due to shared characteristics such as gender. They may not be physically present in the environment but can still influence behaviour.
• One aspect of learning in SLT is modelling. This is when someone actively 'models' the behaviour of a role model.
• One aspect of learning in SLT is Vicarious reinforcement. This is when an observer witnesses a role model being rewarded/punished for a behaviour which makes them more/less likely to imitate it.
• One aspect of learning in SLT is imitation which is where someone observes a behaviour then copies it.
• One aspect of learning in SLT is imitation which is where someone observes a behaviour then copies it.
• Bandura's study did not test vicarious reinforcement as there were no consequences for aggressive or non-aggressive behaviour. This means it lacks ecological validity as in real life there would be conseqences to violence. Also hitting a doll is not comparable to hitting a real person.
• SLT has a positive approach to treatment as it means criminal behaviout can be explained and prevented. An example is the scheme that the Kenco coffee company implemented in South America to mitigate gang violence. By placing young boys in apprenticeships in the coffee industry they were exposed to less pro-crime attitudes and gained more positive attitudes and employment skills.
• The SLT approach is less scientific than the behaviourist approach. They both use lab experiments but SLT experiments (Bandura) lack ecological validity and do not provide empirical proof for the mediational processes.
• The SLT approach is deterministic because it assumes all our behaviour is based on what we witness in others. This is a strength because it means intervention can be made to prevent negative behaviour such as crime which improves society.