Builds on the ideas of the behaviourist approach that behaviours are learnt from the environment
Emphasises the importance of observation and imitation
Observational learning
People learn behaviours from observing a model which they identify with due to having shared characteristics like gender
Vicarious reinforcement
Behaviour is more likely to be imitated if the role model is rewarded for doing so
Behaviour is less likely to be imitated if the role model is punished for the behaviour
Mediational process
1. Attention; paying attention to and noticing the behaviour of the role model
2. Retention; remembering the behaviour of the role model and thinking about it
3. Reproduction; copying the behaviours of the role model and carrying out the imitated behaviours
4. Motivation; having a reason to carry out the imitated behaviour such as vicarious reinforcement
Bobo doll experiment
Children who observed an aggressive model were more likely to imitate the violent behaviours
Boys more likely to imitate the same gender model
Social Learning Theory
Soft determinism; falls in between more determinist approaches like behavioural but still has an influence of free will in the way that people are responsible for choosing a role model and copying their behaviours
Social Learning Theory accounts for cognitive processes but does not explain how it has no biological explanation
Applications of Social Learning Theory
Reducing harmful sex-role stereotypes, through observation and imitation of symbolic models e.g. women in sport and men in nurturing familial roles
