Social learning theory

• what is SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY ?

  learning social behaviour through observing role models or Imitating behaviour of others .
• Imitation 


  Observing the behaviour of a role model and copying it
• Identification 


  When an individual is influenced by another because they are in some way similar or wish to be like them (age , higher status , lifestyle )
• Modelling

  A form of learning .

  e.g you learn a particular behaviour by observing someone else performing that behaviour
• The three main processes involved in social learning are attention, retention and motivation
• Bandura's Bobo doll experiment showed children could imitate aggressive behaviour they had observed on TV
• Attention : The learner must pay attention to what is being modelled.
• Retention : Learners must retain information about the behaviour they have observed so that they can reproduce it later on when required.
• Motivation : The learner must be motivated to imitate the behaviour they have seen.
• Social learning theory is the idea that we can learn from observing others, not just by doing things ourselves.
• Cognitive dissonance theory states that people will change their attitudes and behaviours when there is inconsistency between two cognitions .
• Retention : The learner must retain the information long enough to reproduce it at a later time.
• Vicarious reinforcement 


  Reinforcement which isn’t directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour (example - student taking time writing neatly because they observed other students being praised for their neat writing )
• Study which demonstrates role of SLT on aggressive behaviour in children

  Bandura ey Al. (1961)

  -studied 3-5 year olds

  • children imitated Exactly what they saw the adults do ( they behaved aggressively towards the bobo Doll)
• Banduras 2nd study showing influence of vicarious reinforcement on aggressive behaviour in children 


  bandura et al . (1963)

  X found that children showed less similar behaviour toward the gogo doll when they were shown clip that ended with punishment compared to other conditions (rewarded, punished , no consequences )
• why is SLT described as the bridge between behaviourism and cognitive approach ?

  • focuses on how mental (cognitive) factors are involved in learning

  • there’s thought prior to imitation, individuals don’t just automatically imitate a behaviour

  •these mental factors intervene in the learning process to determine whether a new response is required
• 4 mediational proceses involved when deciding whether to imitate behavior

  • attention - notice certain behaviour
  • retention - how well it’s Remembered
  • motor reproduction - ability to perform behaviour 


  motivation - behaviour performed if expectation of + consequence is greater than expectation of - consequence