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• we learn by observing and imitating others in social contexts.
• learning occurs as a result of indirect experiences, we do not need to be directly reinforced for behaviours.
• social learning theory considers the important mediational processes that occur between stimulus and response
• mediational processes-

  • A.R.R.M
  • attention - noticing the behaviour
  • retention- remembering the behaviour
  • reproduction - doing the behaviour
  • motivation - when the rewards outweigh the consequences
• Modelling is when an individual (a model) carries out a behaviour and we observe them doing this

  • live models - parents, siblings
  • symbolic models - cartoon characters, celebs
  • models demonstrate behaviours and we learn them
• imitation is when we observe a behaviour being modelled and then we reproduce that behaviour.

  • compared to the slow conditioning process, whole patterns of behaviours can be acquired rapidly through imitation.
  • imitation is more likely to occur if
  • the model has a high social status
  • shared characteristics (age, gender)
  • if the model is rewarded (vicarious reinforcement)
• identification: the action or process of identifying with someone because you feel they are similar to you.

  • Identification with a model suggests that we are more likely to experience the same reinforcement/consequences as the model.
• reinforcement is the direct experience of receiving consequences after a behaviour is performed, whereas vicarious reinforcement occurs when you see a model being reinforced for their behaviour, this increases/decreases the likelihood of imitating a behaviour.