Social Learning Theory

• Social learning theory

  Albert Bandura agreed with the behaviourists that behaviour is learned from experience. However, his social learning theory (SLT) proposed a different way in which people learn-through observation and imitation of others (ie. it is social-involving others). SLT suggested that learning occurs directly through classical and operant conditioning, but also indirectly.
• Vicarious reinforcement

  For indirect learning to take place an individual observes the behaviour of others. The learner may imitate this behaviour but, in general, imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) rather than punished, i.e. vicarious reinforcement occurs.
• Mediational processes in SLT

  • Attention
  • Retention
  • Motor reproduction
  • Motivation
• Identification

  People (especially children) are more likely to imitate people they identify with, a process called identification. The person they identify with is called a role model and the process of imitating a role model is called modeling.
• A person becomes a sole model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are attractive and have high status. Role models may not necessarily be physically present in the environment, and this has important implications for the influence of the media on behaviour.
• One strength of the social learning theory approach is that it recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning.
• Neither classical nor operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own. Humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions.
• Recent research suggests that observational learning, of the kind Bandura was talking about, may be the result of mirror neurons in the brain, which allow us to empathise with and imitate other people.
• This suggests that biological influences on social learning were under-emphasised in SLT.
• Many of Bandura's ideas were developed through observation of young children's behaviour in the lab. Lab studies are often criticised for their contrived nature where participants may respond to demand characteristics.
• Social learning theory has the advantage of being able to explain cultural differences in behaviour SLT principles, such as modelling, imitation and reinforcement, can account for how children learn from others around them, including the media, and this can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies.