social learning approach

• assumptions

  • behaviour is learnt through observation
  • observing a role model receive a reward for a behaviour leads to imitation
  • due to vicarious reinforcement
• 4 mediating cognitive conditions- Bandura

  ATTENTION= we notice certain behaviours

  RETENTION= extent the behaviour is remembered

  MOTIVATION= the reward observed must be motivating

  MOTOR REPRODUCTION= turn mental representation in physical action
• Bandura et al

  AIM- whether aggression can be learnt indirectly from a model

  • 36 boy and girls
  • one group shown an adult being aggressive to a Bobo doll the other assembling a toys
  • children who has seen aggressive model were more aggressive towards the Bobo doll.

  😔children may be aggressive to dolls but not other children

  😔Bobo doll may just be of interest to the children as it bounces back up

  😔Cumberbatch states those not exposed to bobo were 5x more likely to imitate behaviour
• EVAL

  😃 takes meditational processes into account and acknowledges the role they play in decision

  • more comprehensive explanation to human learning than behaviourist

  😔not full explanation as some have no apparent role model

  • children who are born blind have physical inhibility to observe a role model but still able to perform complex behaviours
  • cannot fully explain behaviour

  😔Bandura fails to take biological factors into account

  • hormone levels e.g. testosterone presented more in boys is liked to aggressive behaviour
  • decrease plausibility