social learning theory

• modelling


  the behaviour is modelled by another person (role model) someone of importance to the observer such as a parent, a friend or a celebrity personality
• observation 


  the learner will watch the role model and focus on the important aspects of their behaviour
• imitation 


  the learner will later copy the observed behaviour

  although this may depend on the appropriateness, triggers or likelihood of reinforcement
• vicarious reinforcement 


  seeing someone else receive rewards for their behaviour can motivate or demotivate behaviour
• stages of social learning theory (ARRM): attention 


  the learner pays attention (cognition) to the important parts of the role models behaviour

  factors affecting level of attention paid to the behaviour of a role model can depend on how distinctive the behaviour is and how relevant it is for that individual
• stages of social learning theory (ARRM): retention

  the important details about the observed behaviour of the role model will need to be stored in the learners memory (cognition)

  the factors that effect retention include how information is encoded and stored in LTM such as visually (images) or semantically (meaning)
• stages of social learning theory (ARRM): reproduction


  once the modelled behaviour is in memory it will be imitated by there observer and will continue ti be reproduced if it is reinforced
• stages of social learning theory (ARRM): motivation 


  level of motivation will determine if a role models behaviour is imitated positive rewards will motivate individuals to behave in a certain way

  punishment is likely to demotivate them from reproducing the observed behaviour

  motivation can occur intrinsically and extrinsically

  vicarious reinforcement can also motivate the observer to copy the behaviour
• intrinsic motivation 


  feeling of pride or guilt

  a self-drive to achieve a target or goal
• extrinsic motivation 


  physical rewards or punishments

  external influences which contribute to our drive to achieve a target/goal
• social learning theory: bandura (+)


  found that children were more likely to copy the behaviour of a same sex role model then an opposite sex role model

  this shows that who is being observed is very important in terms of whether a behaviour is imitated or not
• social learning theory: becker (+)


  found that watch television and subsequent identification with role models that are seen in the media led the girls to want slimmer figures which causing unhealthy eating behaviour and dieting

  this shows paying attention to role models can influence behaviour negatively
• social learning theory: kendler (-)


  found that identical twins have more similar levels of aggression than non-identical twins do

  this shows that genetics may be more important than just copying a role model
• social learning theory: watson and rayner (-)


  found that little albert learnt to associate the fear causing by the loud noise with a rat and not due to have witnessed someone else being afraid

  this shows that social learning theory is not the only explanation for how behaviour is learnt
• social learning theory: holistic (+)

  considers environmental factors such as role models and also cognitive factors such as retaining the behaviour of the role model in memory stores

  this is a strength because it considers more than one factor that could be involved in learning and the complexity in the learning process