Social Learning Theory

• Social learning theory: a way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
• Modelling: from the observers view - imitating the behaviour of a role model, from the role models view - the precise demonstration of a specific behaviour
• Imitation: copying the behaviour of others
• vicarious reinforcement: reinforcement that is not directly experienced but has occurred through observation of someone else being reinforced for that behaviour
• mediational processes: cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response
• identification: an observer choosing a role model and likening themselves to them via imitation
• types of mediational processes:

  Attention, Retention, Motor reproduction, Motivation
• the likelihood of a behaviour being imitated depends on:

  the models characteristics

  the observers belief in being able to imitate the behaviour

  the consequences of the behaviour previously observed
• bandura 1961 sample :

  used 36 girls + 36 boys from Stanford nursery age 3 - 6, split into 3 groups

  Each child entered room 1 alone

  room 1 - toys and bobo doll

  room 2 - nice toys

  room 3 - aggresive toys + bobo doll
• bandura group 1 :

  room 1 -saw the model ignore the bobo doll and play with other toys

  room 2 - were not allowed to play with the nice toys

  room 3 - ignored bobo played with other toys
• bandura group 2:

  1 - shown clear easy aggressive actions towards bobo dolls

  2 - not allowed nice toys

  3 - displayed learnt and new aggressive behaviour towards bobo doll using other aggressive toys
• bandura group 3:

  1 - saw no one

  2 - not allowed nice toys

  3 - played with other toys
• the children were watched in room 3 through a 2 way mirror and their behaviour was monitored every 5 seconds.
• bandura findings: boys were more aggressive than girls, but overall if shown the behaviour in room 1 the children would display the same behaviour in room 3
• SLT strengths:

  emphasises cognitive factors - builds on behaviourism

  real world application - explains how cultural norms and gender roles are learnt

  less determinism - we exert an influence upon our environment by the behaviour we perform
• slt weaknesses:

  x only lab based - lacks real world evidence, demand characteristics due to lab setting

  x no biological factors - hormones could explain findings in banduras tests

  x Low validity - the children may not have seen a bobo doll before so assumed that (violence) is how you play with one