Social learning theory

• Social learning theory, proposed by Albert Bandura, emphasizes the importance of observing, modelling, and imitating the behaviours, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others.
• humans are active information processors and think about the relationship between their behaviour and its consequences.
• Social learning theory considers how both environmental and cognitive factors interact to influence human learning and behaviour.
• 1. Mediating processes occur between stimuli & responses.
  2. Behaviour is learned from the environment through the process of observational learning.
• Observational learning could not occur unless cognitive processes were at work. These mental factors mediate in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired.
• Therefore, individuals do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it. There is some thought prior to imitation, and this consideration is called the mediational process.
• This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
• Attention: In order to learn through observation, we must pay attention to or closely watch a model’s behaviour and the consequences. If we do not attend to the model’s behaviour, we will not recognize the distinctive features of the observed behaviour and we may fail to notice the consequences
• Attention may be influenced by several factors:

  • perceptual capabilities of the observer
  • motivation and interest level of the observer

  the situation in which the behaviour is being observed

  the kinds of distractors present

  • characteristics of the model such as attractiveness-importance of the behaviour
  •  distinctiveness ( whether it is unique, different or unusual)
  • the effect it might have on us ( satisfaction, convenience, security)
• The model is perceived positively, is liked and has a high status
• There are perceived similarities between the model and the observer
• vThe model is familiar to the observer  and is known through previous observation
• vThe model’s behaviour is visible and stands out against competing models
• vThe behaviour being observed is perceived as being easy to imitate
• Retention: having observed the model, we must be able to remember the model’s behaviour. We need to store it in memory in the form of a mental representation of what we have observed, and the more meaningful we can make it the more accurately we will be able to replicate that behaviour
• Retention may also depend on a few factors though, such as intellectual capabilities of the observer and genetic capabilities too
• Reproduction: ■This is the ability to perform the behaviour that the model has just demonstrated. We see much behaviour daily that we would like to be able to imitate, but this is not always possible.
• Rettention

  • Our physical ability limits us, so even if we wish to reproduce the behaviour, we sometimes cannot.
  • We must also be competent enough to develop the necessary skills  to imitate the behaviour
• Motivation: The observer must be motivated to perform the behaviour. If the behavioural response is not useful or does not provide an incentive or reward for the observer, it is unlikely that they will want to learn it in the first place, or perform it
• Reinforcement: reinforcement influences motivation to reproduce the observed behaviour and increases the likelihood of reproduction.
• external reinforcement is comparable to learning by consequence.
• vicarious reinforcement – occurs indirectly by observing the modelled behaviour being reinforced without personally experiencing the reinforcement
• self-reinforcement – occurs when we are reinforced by meeting certain standards of performance we set for ourselves
• perception of the model and whether we pay attention or not, as well as the social context in which the modelled behaviour occurs, can be influenced by perceptions of our ‘self’ eg describe self-efficacy – which is our belief in our ability to succeed in particular situations
• ■Observational learning is a key aspect of social learning theory, where individuals learn and adopt behaviours by observing others.
• Observational learning process often involves modelling after those who are similar, high-status, knowledgeable, rewarded, or nurturing figures in our lives.
• Individuals that are observed are called models. Children pay attention to some of these people and encode their behaviour.  At a later time, they may imitate the behaviour they have observed.
• Live Model: Observing an actual individual perform a behaviour.
• Verbal Instructional Model: Listening to detailed descriptions of behaviour and then acting based on that description.
• Symbolic Model: Learning through media, such as books, movies, television, or online media, where behaviours are demonstrated.
• Sense of Belonging: Exposure to positive role models in education enhances a sense of belonging
• 1.Self-Efficacy: Self-efficacy, the belief in one’s abilities, greatly influences whether a person will imitate an observed behaviour.
• Increased Achievement: Students who read about the challenges overcome by famous scientists performed better than those who read only about their achievements. Observing perseverance fosters personal performance.
• Perceived attainability: Role models’ successes should be achievable. If aspirants believe they can attain similar success, they’re more motivated.
• Perceived similarity: An effective role model is someone others see as similar or relatable.
• Extensive observation of violence can bias children’s world schemas toward attributing hostility or negative intentions to others’ actions. These hostile attributions increase the likelihood of behaving aggressively
• Normative beliefs about acceptable social behaviours crystallize as children mature. These beliefs act as filters limiting inappropriate behaviours. Observing violence in media can influence which behaviours children see as normative or acceptable.
• Repeated exposure to media violence can lead to desensitization – the diminishing of emotional responses to violence. This makes it easier for children to think about and plan aggressive acts without negative affect.
• SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognizing the role of mediational processes. For example, Social Learning Theory can explain many more complex social behaviours (such as gender roles and moral behaviour) than models of learning based on simple reinforcement.
• Some critics argue that social learning theory does not fully explain the cognitive processes involved in learning or how they interact with environmental and individual factors.