Social Learning Theory

• social learning theory was formulated by Albert Bandura in 1977
• Bandura viewed behaviour as being learnt through observation and imitation of role models
• what does observation mean?

  watching a role model
• what does imitation mean?


  copying a role model
• social learning theory assumes behaviour is learned from experiences within the environment
• social learning theorists assume that mental processes (mediational processes) occur between stimulus and response
• what is modelling?


  the process of observing and imitating role models
• what is identification?


  the process whereby an individual associates with the qualities, characteristics and views of another person, the child forms an attachment to them and aspires to be like them.
• a person is most likely to be selected as a role model if...

  • they are liked powerful and respected
  • they are similar to the person observing them
  • they are reinforced for their behaviour
• what is vicarious reinforcement?

  when we see a role model rewarded for their behaviour so then we are more likely to imitate them
• mediational processes are processes that occur between the observation and the imitation of a role model
• there are 4 mediational processes
• what are the 4 mediational processes?

  Attention

  Retention

  Reproduction

  Motivation
• what is attention as one of the mediational processes?


  the observer needs to pay attention to the model's behaviour
• what is retention as one of the mediational processes?

  the observer can recall the behaviour of the model
• what is reproduction as one of the mediational processes?

  the observer needs to feel that they can reproduce the behaviour

  if high self-efficacy is present, then they are more likely to attempt the behaviour
• what is motivation as one of the mediational processes?

  the observer needs to want to copy the behaviour.

  vicarious reinforcement encourages this