Social Learning Theory

• Social learning theory:

  • SLT is a type of learning approach alongside the behaviourist approach
• Assumptions of social learning theory:

  Bandura's social learning theory suggests that;

  • behaviour is learned via the imitation of role models
  • we are more likely to imitate role models that we identify with
  • we imitate more when we see behaviour being reinforced (vicarious reinforcement)
  • imitation is dependent on mediational processes (attention, retention, replication, motivation)
• Modelling:

  • this approach suggests that behaviour is learnt in a social context
  • learning occurs through observing a role model's behaviour and imitating it
  • a person is more likely to imitate this behaviour if the role model is being rewarded from displaying the behaviour (vicarious reinforcement)
  • if the behaviour of the role model has negative consequences, then they are less likely to imitate the behaviour
• Modelling:

  • behaviour is more likely to be imitated if the person identifies with the role model they are observing
  • to identify with the role model, it means they want to be like another person. This is more likely if they're similar or have status
• The role of mediational processes:

  • SLT takes into account learning but they also take into account internal mental processes as in the cognitive approach, unlike the behaviourist approach
  • these internal mental processes mediate and determine whether a response is learnt
  • they include; attention, retention, reproduction/replication and motivation
• Attention:

  • this is the extent to which a person pays attention to what they are observing. If the behaviour stands out (is it significant/special, do they have status, is it conducted by someone you like?) you are more likely to pay attention
• Retention:

  • this is how well the behaviour is remembered, a person has to remember what they have seen to repeat it. If the behaviour is repeated many times by the model they are more likely to remember it
• Reproduction:

  • this means that the behaviour has to be realistic so the person can physically be able to repeat the behaviour. Unrealistic behaviour is not likely to be repeated as the person cannot physically do it
• Motivation:

  • to imitate the behaviour there must be some motivation, if the role model was rewarded for the behaviour (vicarious reinforcement) they are more likely to imitate it, whereas, if the role model is punished for the behaviour they are less likely to repeat the behaviour
• Aim of Bandura's study:

  • bandura wanted to see if children would learn to have aggressive behaviour due to a role model
• Method of Bandura's study:

  • he had 2 groups of children. One group saw an aggressive role model with a bobo doll, where they saw the model punching the bobo doll and hitting it with a mallet
  • the other group saw a non-aggressive role model, who was playing nicely with the bobo doll and toys
  • the children were then made to wait outside a room full of toys including a bobo doll, before being allowed in
• Results of Bandura's study:

  • those who saw the aggressive role model were more aggressive themselves towards the toys and bobo doll
  • those who saw the non-aggressive role model were not aggressive towards the bobo doll
• Evaluation of social learning theory:

  S - there is evidence to support the role of social learning theory from Sprafkin's Lassie study

  S - positive practical applications for reducing aggression in society

  W - social learning theory is based on Bandura's study which lacks ecological validity and is vulnerable to demand characteristics

  W - ignores biological factors which could influence behaviour
• Evidence to support the role of SLT from Sprafkin's Lassie study (identify):

  • a strength of SLT is that there is evidence to support the principle from Sprafkin's Lassie study
• Evidence to support the role of SLT from Sprafkin's Lassie study (explain):

  • Sprafkin (1975) had 6 year olds watch an episode of Lassie
  • one group watched puppy rescue scene
  • a second group watched a scene with no rescue
  • then all the children played a game where a prize could be won. During this they all came across some seemingly distressed pups. Children who watched the puppy rescue scene were more likely to comfort the puppies
• Evidence to support the role of SLT from Sprafkin's Lassie study (conclusion):

  • this adds to the validity of SLT as the children who observed the puppy recuse scene gave up to help, therefore imitating the behaviour
  • this shows behaviour can be learnt through observation and imitation
• Positive practical applications (identify)

  • a strength of SLT is that it has positive practical applications for reducing aggression in society
• Positive practical applications (explain):

  • SLT suggests that we learn behaviour through role models, so children are likely to be aggressive if they're exposed to an aggressive role model (more likely to observe/imitate) especially through vicarious reinforcement (role model is rewarded)
  • therefore, we can use this to decrease aggression in children by reducing exposure to aggressive role models (using age restrictions for aggressive films/games) and reinforcing less aggressive behaviour of role models
• Positive practical applications (conclusion):

  • this adds to the validity of the SLT to explain human behaviour, as we are able to support people to change their behaviour (reducing aggression against other people in society)
  • this helps the wellbeing of individuals , the wider community and can have an impact on economic implications for society by saving money on the criminal justice system
• SLT is based on Bandura's study - lacks ecological validity and is vulnerable to demand characteristics (identify):

  • social learning theory is based on Bandura's study which lacks ecological validity and is vulnerable to demand characteristics
• SLT is based on Bandura's study - lacks ecological validity and is vulnerable to demand characteristics (explain):

  • Bandura's research was conducted via a controlled observation where the infants were exposed to strangers playing with toys in an artificial environment
  • this is not representative of real life and therefore the findings can't be generalised to the real world
• SLT is based on Bandura's study - lacks ecological validity and is vulnerable to demand characteristics (conclusion):

  • therefore, this questions the ecological validity of SLT as it may not explain natural behaviour in the real word
  • furthermore, more naturalistic research needs to be completed to allow for a better understanding of behaviour
• Ignores biological factors that could influence behaviour (identify):

  • a problem with SLT is that it is too simplistic as it suggests that behaviour is environmentally determined and by doing this it ignores biological factors that may play a role in behaviour
• Ignores biological factors that could influence behaviour (explain):

  • SLT suggests human behaviours such as aggression are learnt through modelling. However, in doing this it completely ignores the role of biological factors such as genes, neurochemistry and brain structure which could influence behaviour
  • for example, genes could explain the individual differences seen when many people play violent video games but only some people go on to become more aggressive
• Ignores biological factors that could influence behaviour (conclusion):

  • this questions the validity of SLT as it is not taking on board the full complexity of human behaviour by ignoring some of the contributing factors
  • it therefore lacks explanatory power