social learning theory

• social learning theory

  Albert Bandura proposed the social learning theory( a way of explaining behaviour that involves both direct and indirect reinforcement ,combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.It is learning through observing others and imitating behaviours that are rewarded.
• modelling

  A form of learning where individuals learn a particular behaviour through observing another individual performing that behaviour.The individual performing the role is known as a model.(live models/symbolic model).Models provide examples of behaviour that can be observed then reproduced through imitation.
• imitation

  The action of using someone or something as a model and copying their behaviour.

  They key determinants of whether a behaviour is imitated are:

  • the characteristics of the model
  • the observer’s perceived ability to perform that behaviour
  • the observed consequences of the behaviour
• identification

  Is a form of influence where an individual adopts an attitude/behaviour in order to be associated with a particular person/group(models).It refers to the extent to which the individual relates to the model and feels similar to the model.The more similar they see themselves to the model,they would expect to experience the same outcomes in situations.
• vicarious reinforcement

  Learning that is not a result of direct reinforcement of behaviour,but through observing someone else being reinforced for that behaviour.Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour.

  Individuals can observe the consequences experienced by a model and then make judgements as to the likelihood of experiencing that outcome themselves.
• the role of mediational processes

  • refer to the internal mental process that exist between environmental stimuli and the response made by an individual to those stimuli.
  • these mental factors mediate in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired.

  1. Attention-the extent to which we notice certain behaviours

  2. Retention-how well the behaviour is remembered

  3. Motor reproduction-the ability of the observer to perform the behavior

  4. Motivation- the will to perform the behaviour,which is based of whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished
• key study: Bandura

  Bandura et al carried out an experiment involving children who observed aggressive and non aggressive adult models and then were tested for imitative learning in the absence of the model.Half of the children saw aggressive behavior (striking it with a mallet,verbal aggression)towards the Bobo doll and the other half saw non-aggressive models.
• bandura findings

  children who observed the aggressive model reproduced a good deal of physically and verbally aggressive behaviour resembling that of the model.1/3 repeated the model’s verbal responses.The other half of children displayed no aggression.

  Bandura and Walter found that children who saw the model being rewarded for aggressive acts rather than punished were more likely to show a high level of aggression in their own play.