AO1

• The learning approach studies internal mental processes scientifically and covered areas/processes of human behaviour which were ignored by behaviourists, such as memory and thinking. These are private and cannot be observed, so are studied indirectly by inferring them from behaviour
• The social learning theory was proposed by Bandura and suggests that people learn through observation and imitation of others. This learning can occurs directly, through classical and operant conditioning or indirectly, through vicarious reinforcement.
• The SLT suggests that we learn directly through classical and operant conditioning which occurs through modelling and imitation.
• The SLT suggests that we can also learn indirectly through vicarious reinforcement, which is when the observed behaviour is seen to have consequences and is less likely to be imitated. Behaviour modelled which is also rewarded is more likely to be imitated as we observe the behaviour and its consequences.
• Bandura conducted the Bobo Doll experiment, which involved two studies.
• Bandura: Study A

  In study A, children either watched adults behave aggressively or non-aggressively towards a Bobo doll and then their behaviour around the doll was recorded in which those who had seen the aggressive behaviour were more likely to act aggressively towards the doll than those who hadn't.
• Bandura: Study B

  In study B, Bandura and Walter (1963) showed children two videos, both of aggressive behaviour towards the doll, but one group saw the adult receiving praise for the aggression and another saw the adult receiving consequences for the aggression. The control group saw no praise or consequence given. Those who saw the aggression with consequences were less likely to act aggressively than those who saw the aggression with praise.
• Bandura outlines two aspects of the SLT:

  • The role of meditational processes
  • Identification
• Meditational processes are mental factors which mediate in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired.
• Bandura identified 4 mental processes: ARMM

  • Attention: the extent to which we notice behaviour
  • Retention: how well the behaviour is remembered
  • Motor reproduction: physically performing behaviour
  • Motivation: the desire to perform the behaviour
• Identification suggests that people are more likely to imitate the people they identify with, who is their model. People become models because of various factors, such as similarity, high status and being attractive. Models do not need to be physically present, such as celebrities.