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.
• Assumptions of SLT

  • Bandura proposed SLT as a development of the behaviourist approach
  • Agreed with the behaviourist approach, but believed patterns of behaviour were also linked to imitation within a social context
  • An observer learns behaviour by watching and imitating
  • This is called modelling a behaviour
• Imitation


  Copying the behaviour of others.
• Identification


  When an observer associates themselves with a role model by adopting their behaviours and attitudes.
• Modelling


  From the observer's perspective, modelling is imitating the behaviour of a role model. From the role model's perspective, modelling is demonstrating a specific behaviour.
• Vicarious reinforcement


  Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour. This is a key factor in imitation.
• Mediational processes


  Cognitive factors that influence learning and come between the stimulus and the response.
• Four mediational processes

  attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation
• Attention


  the extent to which we notice behaviours
• retention


  How well the behaviour is remembered
• Motor production


  the observer's ability to perform the behaviour.
• Motivation


  the will to perform the behaviour, often determined by whether the behaviour is rewarded or punished.
• Identification


  • people are more likely to imitate behaviours of people they identify with, role models
  • role models have similar characteristics to observer and/or are attractive/have high status
  • may not be physically present
  • important implications for the influence of the media
• Bobo doll experiment

  • Bandura
  • Observational learning; children observed adult behaving aggressively to a bobo doll, children went in and behaved similarly