SLT

• SLT believes we learn through observing and imitating role models (i.e. people around us or in the media) – a process called modelling
• Vicarious Reinforcement – where a learner sees a model rewarded for their actions so the learner will copy that behaviour to get the same reward
• Vicarious Punishment – where a learner sees a model punished for a behaviour so they will not copy the behaviour
• Operant conditioning is where a person learns by the rewards they themselves receive for their behaviour whereas SLT is where a person learns by observing other people receiving rewards for their behaviour.
• Identification with a role model means that the observer wishes to be like them, or sees themselves as similar to the model
• Factors increasing the likelihood of modelling (copying the actions of a model) are if the model is:

  • The same gender
  • The similar age
  • Powerful or high status
  • Friendly or likeable
• According to Bandura, there are 4 mediational processes (cognitive processes) involved with Social Learning
• The first two are about learning the behaviour, the second two are about performance of the behaviour
• The 4 mediational processes: Attention, Retention, Reproduction, and Motivation
• Bandura’s et al (1961) Bobo Doll Experiments Aims:

  To see whether children will imitate aggressive behaviour, after they have observed it - even if it was not rewarded
• Bandura’s et al (1961) Bobo Doll Experiments Procedure:

  72 Boys and Girls aged 3-5 years witnessed a male/female model behave aggressively/non aggressively towards a Bobo doll toy. They were then

  taken to a room with a Bobo doll in it.
• Bandura (1961)Findings:

  • Those who witnessed an aggressive model behaved more aggressively that those who witnessed a non-aggressive model
  • Boys showed more physical aggression
  • Same sex role models produced the most aggression –especially in boys
• Four mediational processes in learning were identified by Bandura:

  1. Attention - the extent to which we notice certain behaviours
  2. Retention - how well the behaviour is remembered
  3. Reproduction - the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
  4. Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour, which is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished