social learning theory

• assumptions of the SLT

  Bandura agreed with the behaviourists that behaviour is learned from experience

  but the SLT proposes that people learn through observation and imitation of others.

  suggested learning occurs directly and indirectly through classical and operant conditioning
• vicarious reinforcement

  indirect learning takes place as an individual observes the behaviour of others.

  learner may imitate the behaviour but imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded rather than punished therefore vicarious reinforcement.

  learner observes behaviour and the consequences
• role of mediational processes

  SLT focuses on how mental factors are involved in learning.

  the mental factors mediate in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired.

  four mediational processes identified by Bandura

  -> attention - extend we notice certain behaviours

  -> retention - how well the behaviour is remembered

  -> motor reproduction - ability of the observer to perform the behaviour

  -> motivation - will to perform the behaviour.
• identification

  people are more likely to imitate people they identify with due to identification.

  person identifies with a role model and imitates their behaviour - modelling

  a person becomes a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are attractive and have a high status.
• strength - cognitive factors

  SLT recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning.

  neither classical or operant conditioning offer account of learning on their own.

  humans + animals store information of behaviour from others and use it later to perform certain actions.

  this suggests SLT provides more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising mediational processes.
• limitation - biological factors

  SLT has been criticised for making too little reference to the influence of biological factors on learning.

  recent research suggests observational learning may be the result of mirror neurons which allow us to empathise and imitate other people.

  suggests Bandura's theory underemphasised biological influences
• limitation - lab studies

  Bandura's ideas were developed through observations of children's behaviour in labs.

  means demand characteristics could have been present.

  has been suggested in the Bobo doll research, the main purpose of the doll is to strike it so the children were behaving in the way they thought was expected.
• strength - real-world application

  SLT principles have been applied to a range of real-world behaviours.

  it can explain cultural differences in behaviour.

  can account for how children learn from others around them, including the media, which explains how social and cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies.
• Bandura's Bobo doll research

  recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards the Bobo doll.

  the adult hit the doll with a hammer and shouted at it.

  later, the children were observed to behave more aggressively towards the doll compared to children who observed a non-aggressive adult.