SLT

• Bandura believed that new patterns of behaviour could be acquired not only through direct experiences, but also by observing own behaviour and the behaviour of others. He believed the consequences of a behaviour are viewed and so whether to perform it, will be decided from this. He called this the social learning theory. In order for social learning to take place, a ‘model’ is needed to carry out the behaviour to be learnt. This can be a live model (teacher) or a symbolic model (TV character). The examples are shown and can be reproduced by the observer in the process of imitation.
• Although lots of learning is due to direct reinforcement, much of what a child learns is through imitation of behaviour. Research found that imitation will take place due to: characteristics of the model, the perceived ability to perform behaviour and observed consequences. Identification is the factor which refers to whether the individual relates to the model as they are similar. This makes them view the consequences as what is likely to then happen to themselves. Research suggests that children are more likely to identify with, and learn from models who are similar, (same sex models).
• Bandura & Walters showed rewards for aggressive behaviour is more likely to cause imitation of behaviour than not rewarded (vicarious reinforcement). They learn the consequences and adjust their behaviour. This concept shows consequences don’t have to be experienced, but can observe a model receiving them to learn behaviours. The role of mediational processes refers to forming mental processes of the behaviour displayed and the consequences to expect future outcomes. If opportunities for learned behaviour arise in the future, and consequences are positive, they are likely to carry it out.
• Bandura studied SLT on children. The children either observed a non-aggressive model or an aggressive model who carried out physical acts to a life size Bobo doll. They also used verbal aggression by saying things such as ‘POW’. Children were showed toys they cant play so they're annoyed. The children who observed the aggressive model reproduced lots of physical and verbally aggressive behaviour. Non-aggressive showed virtually no aggression to the doll. 1/3 of aggressive repeated the verbal responses. If the model was rewarded, the likely hood of aggression was even higher.
• A problem with Bandura's study is that it is done as a lab experiment.

  The study is in a lab setting and not a situation that occurs in real life. Therefore, there is low mundane realism and the participants may not act as they would normally due to it being quite artificial. However due to the conditions being controlled, there will be little effect of confounding variables influencing the stude.

  Therefore, is it low in ecological validity, but cause and effect can be established for this behaviour
• A problem with the application of SLT is with establishing causality.

  Siegal and McCormick suggests that young people who possess deviant attitudes (eg low self-control) would seek out peers with similar attitudes and behaviours as they are more suited and more fun to be with.

  This cause of delinquency therefore may not be due to social learning as a result of deviant role models, but possession of these attitudes prior to contact with deviant peers.
• A strength of SLT is the application of the theory to understand many areas human behaviour, including criminal behaviour.

  Akers suggests that the probability of someone engaging in a criminal behaviour increases when they are exposed to models committing criminal behaviour, identify with these models and develop the expectation of positive consequences for those behaviours.

  This can be applied to stop criminal behaviour especially in adolescents where this behaviour is seen to be rewarded and can be reduced due to the knowledge of why it is likely to happen.
• There are significant methodological problems with the Bobo doll studies. For example, a doll isn't a living person, so does not retaliate when hit. This raises questions about whether these studies tell us much about the imitation of aggression towards real human beings.

  Bandura responded to this criticism by having children watch a film of an adult model hitting a live clown. The children later proceeded to imitate the same aggressive behaviours they had seen in the film, suggesting the imitation of aggressive behaviour is also likely towards other human beings.