AO1 SLT

• What does social learning theory propose?

  Learning occurs both directly, through classical and operant conditioning, and indirectly, through vicarious reinforcement
• SLT proposes that people can learn through observation and imitation of others within a social context
• What is vicarious reinforcement?

  Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour. This is a key factor in imitation. The learner observes a behaviour but most importantly observes the consequences of a behaviour
• Why is SLT often described as the bridge between traditional learning theory and the cognitive approach?

  It focuses on how mental (cognitive) factors are involved in learning. These mental factors mediate (i.e. intervene) in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired
• What are the 4 medational processes in learning?

  Attention, retention, (motor) reproduction, motivation.
• What is attention?


  The extent in which we notice certain behaviours
• What is retention?


  How well the behaviour is remembered
• What is motor reproduction?


  The ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
• What is motivation?


  The will to perform the behaviour, which is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished
• People (especially children) are much more likely to imitate the behaviour of people with whom they identify, called role models. This process is called modelling.

  A person becomes a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are attractive and have high status.
• What were the procedures of the bobodoll experiment?

  Bandura showed videos to children where an adult behaved aggressively towards the Bobo doll. One group of children saw the adult praised for their behaviour (being told ‘Well done’). A second group saw the adult punished for their aggression towards the doll, by being told off. The third group (control group) saw the aggression without any consequence.
• What were the findings of the bobodoll experiment?

  The researchers found that the children who’d observed an aggressive role model behaved more aggressively themselves towards the Bobo doll compared to the non-aggressive role model control group. Links can be made to

  the process of social learning theory.