Social learning theory

• what is the social learning theory?

  a way of explaining behaviour which combines behaviourists ideas such as classical + operant conditioning and cognitive ideas of involvement of mental processes
• what does SLT suggest? (AO1)

  learning occurs both directly , through operant and classical conditioning , and indirectly, through vicarious reinforcement
• what does SLT assume about consequences? (AO1)

  that consequences of observed behaviour is more important than the behaviour alone
• SLT assumes that learning occurs through the following stages: (AO1)

  • An observer identifies themselves with a desirable role model.
  • This role model displays or models a specific behaviour, which is imitated by the observer.
  • The likelihood that the observed behaviour will be imitated is increased if the role model is seen to be ‘vicariously reinforced’ or rewarded.
• what is a role model?(AO1)

  A person with whom the observer identifies with
• what is vicarious reinforcement?(AO1)

  A type of indirect learning which occurs when an observer sees their role model being rewarded for displaying a certain behaviour = observer is motivated to imitate this behaviour, in an effort to receive the same reward.
• what is identification? (AO1)

  a form of learning by which an observer associates themselves with a role model and aspires to become more like that role model
• what are the mediational processes identified by Bandura? (AO1)

  1. Attention - the extent at which we notice behaviours
  2. Retention - how well behaviour is remembered
  3. Motor reproduction - the ability of observer performing the role/action
  4. Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour which determined by whether the behaviour is punished or rewarded
• The first two mediational processes are involved with the observation and understanding of the behaviour, whilst the latter two are involved in the actual imitation of the behaviour.
• what is modelling ?(AO1)

  when a role model enacts a behaviour that can be imitated by observer
• Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study (Bandura, Ross and Ross, 1961):

  • 36 boys and 36 girls (aged between 3 and 6 years old)
  • 3 experimental groups: 1st being exposed to real-life aggressive models 2nd non aggressive models 3rd no models (left with Bobo doll)
• what were the findings of the Bobo doll study?

  children who’d observed an aggressive role model behaved more aggressively towards the Bobo doll compared to the non-aggressive role model control group
• Strength: SLT

  P - Acknowledges the role of human cognition in learning behaviour

  E - the 4 mental mediational process (Bandura) has conscious and cognitive insight that humans have into their behaviour

  E- behaviour has more complex aspects behind rather than just through the observation of behaviour unlike classical + operant conditioning (define it)

  L - SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation for human behaviour by recognising the role of mediational processes

  COUNTERPOINT: does not recognise biological factors such as mirror neurons
• Limitation: SLT

  P - the evidence that is based on lab studies = reduces its internal validity

  E - Bobo doll study conducted in a lab and developed through the observation of children in the lab

  E - children may have been responding to demand characteristics as the main purpose was to strike the Bobo doll so they behaved in the way they thought was expected

  L - research may tell us little on how children aggressive children are
• Limitation : SLT

  P - ignores other biological or psychological factors= adopting environmental determinism (define it)

  E - Bandura’s Bobo Doll experiment ignores the biological differences between boys and girl as his disregarded the finding that ''boys exhibited significantly more imitative aggression, more aggressive gun play”

  E -This may be explained due to boys having higher levels of the hormone testosterone, linked to increased aggressiveness

  P - SLT may not be a complete explanation for gender differences in behaviour (link to point)