Behaviour is learnt from experience but through observation and imitation as well as conditioning.
Assumptions
nurture - behaviour is learnt through experience
soft determinism - environmental factors play a role in behaviour but there is an element of free choice (mediational processes)
holistic - combines cognition and behaviour
nomothetic - creates general laws based on similarities between people
Modelling
the demonstration of behaviour from a model
Imitation
the copying of the behaviour of others, particularly role models
Vicarious Reiforcement
a form of indirect learning where we are more likely to perform a behaviour if we have seen another get rewarded for doing it
Identification
we associate ourselves with another person and want to be like them (behave the same way)
this is more likely to happen if the person is similar to us, or of a high status/attractive
Bobo doll study
2 groups were shown an adult either playing gently or aggressively with a doll
the children copied the behaviour of the adult when they were left alone
boys tended to be more violent than girls
Mediational processes
Attention - the extent to which we notice a behaviour
Retention - how well we remember the behaviour
Motor reproduction - our ability to perform a behaviour
Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour
- Lab studies
Bandura's study may have been affected by demand characteristics resulting from the artificial environment of the study (a lab) --> reduces internal and ecological validity
+ However, lab studies do provide a high level of control over EVs
+ Real life application
The use of modelling and identification has helped in situations such as campaigns to reduce alcohol consumption - making them more effective as they are more applicable to the person
+ Less simplistic
The social learning theory is made up of many parts (cognitive and behavioural) and has wide ranging, real life effects based on evidence. This makes it more comprehensive, and gives it greater credibility.