social learning theory

• assumption- behaviour can be learnt through observing and imitating role models
• imitation is the act of copying a behaviour. involves modelling where an individual imitates behaviour of a specific person as they model it.
• social learning theory involves vicarious reinforcement- individuals observe the consequences of behaviour and will only imitate if it has no consequences that are negative
• Mediational processes occur between observation and imitation. These are : attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation.
• mediational processes occur between observation and imitation- attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation
• identification with role model increases the likelihood of imitation- eg the girl is the same gender as her mother
• scientific research support- Bandura's bobo doll experiment shows children imitate behaviour from role models, suggests the theory is credible as the research is well controlled.
• real world application- can be used to explain influence of media on behaviour and has been used to justify certifications on films and video games, suggests SLT is useful.
• underestimates role of biology- eg the boys in Bandura's study were more aggressive than the girls which could be explained by influences of testosterone- suggesting the approach is limited
• vicarious reinforcement- the idea in SLT that people only observe and imitate if that behaviour is seen to be rewarded- it makes you want to carry out that same behaviour due to the anticipation of a reward
• evaluation- strength- acknowledges the importance of thinking/cognition before acting, operant and classical conditioning do have their part to play in learning but both of them are insufficient for explaining learning by themselves, eg instead SLT is based on the importance of the mediational processes