social learning theory (SLT)

• assumption 


  people learn through observation
• people

  bandura
• theories


  • mediational processes (bandura)
  • vicarious reinforcement
  • identification
• learning through observations and imitation (of a role model)
• modelling 


  observing and imitating the behaviour of a role model
• social learning theory 


  behaviour that includes direct and indirect reinforcement , combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
• imitation 


  copying behevaiour of others
• identification

  observer associates themselves with role model, and wants to be like them
• vicarious reinforcement 


  not directly experienced reinforcement- through obserbing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour (key factor in imitation)
• mediational 


  cognitive factors (thinking), influence learning and come between the stimulus and response
• mediational processes (ARMM)


  • ATTENTION - the extent to which we notice behavioura
  • RETENTION - how well the behaviour is remembered
  • MOTOR REPRODUCTION - ability of observer to perform behaviour
  • MOTIVATION - the will to perform the behaviour (determined by whether the behaviour is rewarded or punished)
• identification 


  people (especially children)- more likely to imitate behaviour of people who they identify (role models).

  this is modelling.

  role models- posses similar characteristics to observer, are attractive, have high status.

  role models do not need to be present in environment (media influences behaviour)
• bandura (1961) - bobo doll experiment 


  a = if children imitate the aggressive behaviours of adults
• bandura (1961) - bobo doll


  p = children aged 3-5

  adult in room w/ children, toys and bobo doll

  condition 1- adult starts beating bobo doll and screaming for 10 minutes

  condition 2- adult played calmly with doll

  children were left alone, to see what they would do with the doll
• bobo doll (1961) - bobo doll

  f = condition 1- children started beating the doll, imitation was closest to the actions of the adult when the child was the same sex

  condition 2- children played calmly, no signs of agression
• bandura (1961) - bobo doll 


  c = the children imitated what they saw, if they saw violence, then they were violent

  this is as the adults acted as role models,they children identified with them and modelled their actions
• before bandura

  it was thought that seeing violent scenes would purge you and as a result make you less aggressive
• bandura + walters (1963)


  repeated bobo doll experiment, but the violence was through a video rather than real life

  shows vicarious reinforcement, as the childrens imitated violence went as followed:

  • first those showed the video of the adult being praised for violence were the most aggressive
  • followed by those who watched neither praise nor punishment (control group)
  • then the third, who saw a video of an adult being punished for violent behaviour

  positive reinforcement, made condition 1 more likely to imitate

  negative reinforcement, made condition 3 less likely to imitate
• strengths


  • importance of cognition - humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and use that to make judgments about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions. as SLT recognises the role of mediational processes, it provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning
  • soft determinism - are influenced and influence external environment through envious we choose to perform. the choice, suggeststhere is some free will in the way we behave (contrasts the behaviourlists approach which denies free will)
• development of behaviourist approach
• weaknesses 


  • overreliance on lab studies- SLT is based on evidence from lab studies, but lab studies are artificial (contrived nature) and cause ppt to respond to demand characteristics. bobo doll - main purpose of product is to strike it, so children behaved how they thought was expected of them. this means the research tells us little about how children learn aggression in everyday life
• weaknesses

  • underestimates biology- observational learning may be a result of mirror neurons in the brain which allow us to empathise with and imitate other people. but bandura thought biological differences only influence learning potential and the learning itself was determined by the environment. SLT underemphasises biological influences
• weaknesses (2 points)


  • over reliance on lab studies
  • underestimates biology