Social Learning Theory

• What are the assumptions of SLT?

  1. Behaviour is learned from experience especially through observing and imitating others
  2. Mediational Processes are also involved (ARRM)
  3. Vicarious reinforcement occurs
  4. Role Models is important
• What is Vicarious Reinforcement?

  1. An individual observes the behaviour of others
  2. Imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded rather than punished
  3. Observe the consequences of the behaviour before wanting to imitate it
• What is Identification?

  • People we identify with (role models)
  • Similar characteristics such as age and sex
• What are the 4 mediational processes?

  1. Attention
  2. Retention
  3. Reproduction
  4. Motivation
• Attention


  To what extent we notice certain behaviours
• Retention


  How well the behaviour is remembered
• Reproduction


  The ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
• Motivation


  The will to carry out the behaviour depending on whether it was punished or not
• What is meant by Social Learning Theory?


  Social Learning Theory suggests that people learn through the observation and imitation of role models via vicarious reinforcement with the help of mediational processes
• What was Bandura's Aim?

  1. Recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way
  2. The aim of the study was to see if this behavioural imitation continued even if the role model was not present
• Procedure of Bandura's Research

  1. 36 boys and 36 girls aged 3-6 years
  2. Put in a room with Bobo Doll and observed role models interact for 10 mins
  3. Split into 3 groups: aggressive, non-aggressive and control(no role model)
  4. Half had a role model of the same gender and the others didn't
  5. Children were then left in a room with toys for 20 mins
• Results of Bandura's Research

  • Children who observed an aggressive role model acted aggressive than children who observed a non aggressive role model
  • Boys acted more aggressive than girls
  • More likely to imitate if it is the same gender
• Bandura and Walter's Research

  1. One group of children watched an adult behave aggressively and get punished and the other group saw them get rewarded
  2. There was a control group that saw no consequence
  3. When seeing them get praised they are more likely to imitate
• AO3 SLT: Recognition of Cognitive Factors

  • Neither classical or operant conditioning offer an explanation for learning by themselves
  • Humans and animals rely on the behaviour of others to make judgement about their own actions
  • The recognition of cognitive factors mean that SLT has a more comprehensive account of human learning
• AO3 SLT: No reference to biological factors

  • Bandura said learning was determined by the environment
  • Recent research suggest that observational learning could be the result of mirror neurons allowing us to empathise and imitate people
  • Biological factors are under emphasised
• AO3 SLT: Contrived Lab Studies

  • Evidence is based on young children's behaviour in lab studies - demand characteristics
  • Artificial with the Bobo Doll as it tells us little about how children actually act
• AO3 SLT: Real World Application

  • SLT principles have been applied to a range of real world behaviours
  • Able to explain cultural differences in behaviour
  • Mediational processes can account for how children learn from those around them
  • Can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies
• AO3 SLT: Reciprocal Determinism

  • Bandura emphasised reciprocal determinism
  • We are not merely influenced by our external environment but we also exert an influence upon it through the behaviours we choose to perform
  • We have SOME free will