The Social Learning Theory/Approach (learning approach)

• What is the social learning theory?

  Albert Bandura proposed the SLT as a development of the behaviourist approach. He argued that classical and operant conditioning could not account for all human learning - there are important mental processes that mediate between stimulus and response.
• State the assumptions of the social learning theory/approach:

  • SLT is a way of explaining behaviour by combining behaviourist theory with the role of cognitive factors
  • Bandura agreed with the Behaviourists that much of our behaviour is learnt through our environment (nurture), from experience
  • People learn through observation and imitation of others within a social context (directly) but also indirectly
• Explain how the SLT is similar to the Behaviourist approach:

  • SLT agrees with behavioural learning theory about outside influences of behaviour
  • Behaviourism is like the idea that - like Bandura's SLT - children learn by observing behaviours of others
• Explain how the SLT is different to the Behaviourist approach:

  • SLT says that internal thoughts impact what behaviour response comes out
  • Behaviourism doesn't study internal thought processes (cognitive processes) as an element of actions