social learning theory

• who came up with the social learning theory?

  bandura
• 🔷 assumptions of social learning theory

  • behaviour is learned from environment through observation and imitation
  • learning occurs directly and indirectly
  • introduces mediational cognitive processes
• 📌 key concepts of social learning theory

  • modelling
  • identification
  • imitation
  • vicarious reinforcement
  • mediational processes
• 🔁 mediational processes

  1. attention
  2. retention
  3. motor reproduction
  4. motivation
• 🪆 bandura's bobo doll study

  • children watch adult models behave aggressively or non-aggressively towards a doll
  • children who saw aggressive models were more likely to imitate aggression
• 🤺 bandura & walters' replication

  • children observed models being rewarded, punished or receiving no consequence for aggression
  • highest imitation occurred in the rewarded group
• ✅ strength of social learning theory - cognition

  recognises mediational processes in learning

  • emphasised attention, retention, motivation and reproduction
  • more comprehensive as considers internal mental processes and environment
  • more holistic explanation
• ✅ strength of social learning theory - culture

  explains cross-cultural differences

  • modelling shows people learn behaviours specific to culture or environment
  • more adaptable and supports nurture
  • increases ecological validity
• ❌ limitation of social learning theory - lab

  reliance on lab experiments

  • bobo doll study was conducted in an artificial setting
  • children behave differently
  • reduces generalisability