Social Learning Theory

• Assumption: Behaviour can be learnt by observing and imitating role models.
• Imitation -- act of copying behaviour. It involves a process of modelling -- where an individual imitates the behaviour of a specific person as they model it.

  Social learning involves vicarious reinforcement -- individuals observe the consequences others get for their behaviour and will imitate if there are no negative consequences.
• Mediational processes occur between observation and imitation -- attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation.
• Identification with a role model increases the likelihood of imitation.
• Bandura's research -- 2 groups of children watched a video of an adult model: hitting a doll or playing with a doll or a control condition who did not watch a video.

  Findings -- Group 1 displayed higher levels of aggression than 2 and 3. If children watched the model get punished for hitting the bobo doll aggressive acts decreased.
• Evaluation

  SLT has scientific research support -- Bobo Doll experiment -- theory is credible as the research is well controlled.

  SLT has RWA -- used to give certifications in the media -- useful approach.

  SLT lacks ecological validity as research does not reflect real life -- does not explain the way people behave in everyday life.

  SLT underestimates the role of biology -- boys were more aggressive than the girls -- due to testosterone -- approach is limited.