social learning theory

• assumptions

  • Bandura agreed that behaviour is learned through environment, however instead through observation and imitation
  • individuals observe reinforcement/punishment that others receive and this influences their behaviour
  • SLT is based upon behavioural approach, however it considers cognitive factors too
• Bandura's bobo doll study

  36 children were put in a room with a two-way mirror and observed a role-model's behaviour with a bobo doll. Some participants witnessed aggressive behaviour, whereas control group observed no aggression. The children were then allowed to play for 20 minutes.
• Bandura's bobo doll study- findings

  • children who witnessed aggression showed more aggression when playing
  • boys acted more aggressively than girls
  • greater level of imitation when role model was same gender as the child
• SLT key terms

  • imitation- when an individual copies behaviour
  • vicarious reinforcement- individuals are likely to copy behaviour if they have observed another person be rewarded for their behaviour, as well as observing the consequences
  • modelling- an influential person, if an individual imitates their behaviour then it is modelling
  • identification- they are likely to imitate someone else's behaviour if they identify with them, usually by sharing characteristics (e.g age or gender)
  • mediational processes- cognitive processes that take place between stimulus and response
• mediational processes (ARRM)

  Attention- person has to pay attention and notice the behaviour

  Retention- person must remember the behaviour

  Reproduction- person must be able to reproduce the behaviour

  Motivation- person performs the behaviour after observing rewards/punishments
• SLT- AO3

  • Bandura's study had methodological issues- bobo dolls are meant to be played with in an aggressive way, reduces validity
  • provides a more comprehensive explanation of behaviour- takes into account cognitive factors
  • can explain cultural differences in behaviour
  • ignores biological factors that may influence behaviour, much as genetics and disorders