social learning theory

• SLT suggests that behaviour is learnt in a social context and learning occurs through observing a role models behaviour and imitating this behaviour
• vicarious reinforcement is when a person imitates a behaviour of a role model that is rewarded for it
• a person is more likely to imitate a behaviour if they identify with the role model they are observing
• to identify with a role model, it is more likely if they are:

  • similar
  • significant
  • have status
  • this process is known as modelling
• SLT takes into account learning but they also take into account internal mental processes (as in the cognitive approac)
• the meditational processes are:

  • attention (observing)
  • retention (remembering)
  • reproduction (repeating)
  • motivation (vicarious reinforcement)
• SLT evaluations:

  🙂 evidence to support from Sprafkin (Lassie)

  🙂 practical applications

  🙂 less deterministic than behaviourist approach

  ☹️ ignores biological contributions to behaviour

  ☹️ not all aspects are scientific
• Banduras research

  aim: if children would learn to have aggressive behaviour due to a role model