SLT

• Imitation


  copying of modelled behaviour
• modelling


  demonstration of behaviour that can be copied
• identification


  an observer identifies with a model because they have similar characteristics to then
• vicarious reinforcement


  learn about the consequences of modelled behaviour by observing the model being punished or rewarded for their actions
• mediational processes


  attention

  retention

  motor reproduction

  motivation
• Strength


  Recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning

  not classical and operant conditioning alone

  animals and humans store info about the behaviour of others so they know how to act in future situations

  recognises the importance of mediational processes
• Weakness


  Bandura et al's ideas were developed using artificial environments

  participants may have responded to demand characteristics

  tells us little about how children learn in everyday life
• Bandura et al 1961


  Children aged 3-5 observed aggressive and non aggressive behaviour towards a bobo doll

  group 1 - observed the aggressive adult being reinforced

  group 2- observed the aggressive adult model being punished

  the children in group 1 behaved the most aggressively

  the children in group 2 behaved the least aggressively
• Conclusion of Bandura


  children are likely to imitate aggressive behaviour if they observe the model being reinforced for it and less likely to imitate aggressive behaviour if they observe the model being punished for it.

  this supports SLT and the concepts of vicarious reinforcement and punishment
• Strength


  Principles of SLT have been applied to increase understanding of criminal behaviour.

  Akers suggests that the probability of someone engaging in criminal behaviour increases when they are exposed to models who commit crime, identify with these models and develop the expectations of positive consequences for their own criminal actions.

  This supports the role of social learning and the importance of identification and vicarious reinforcement in causing aggressive behaviour.