Evaluation

• Real world application - point

  A strength of the Social Learning Theory is that its principles have been applied to a range of real-world behaviours
• Real world application - evidence

  Social learning theory has the advantage of being able to explain cultural differences in behaviour. SLT principles, such as modelling, imitation, reinforcement, can account for how children learn from others around them and from the media.
• Real world application - explain

  This can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies, and it has proved useful in understanding a range of behaviours, including how children come to understand their gender role. This is able to increase the value of the approach as it can account for real-world behaviour.
• Supportive research - point

  A key strength of social learning theory is that Bandura conducted supporting research on children.
• Supportive research - evidence

  The results demonstrated that children are able to learn social behaviour, such as aggression, through the process of observation. Since the research was conducted as a lab experiment, this allows for cause and effect to be established as extraneous variables are excluded, increasing validity.
• Supportive research - explain

  This is important as it supports Bandura's ideas about imitation and being able to learn via observing others
• Recognises cognitive factors - point

  One strength of the social learning theory approach is that it recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning.
• Recognises cognitive factors - evidence

  Neither classical or operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own. Humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions.
• Recognises cognitive factors - explain

  Bandura said that "learning would be hazardous if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do." This suggests that SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes.
• Counterpoints


  • criticised for not referencing the influence of biological factors
  • in his research, boys were seen to be more aggressive than girls which could be a result of the difference in testosterone levels