Social Learning Theory

Who proposed this theory?

Albert Bandura

Modelling

the role model demonstrates, and the observer emulates this – this is less surface level and includes more aspects of them as a person 

Imitation

copying (exactly) behaviours previously observed in others – this is more surface level e.g. appearances  

Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood of the behaviour happening again 
→ vicarious reinforcement: you observe someone else being reinforced for a behaviour (celebrity influence role models e.g. athletes winning an award) 
→ external reinforcement - you are rewarded yourself 
→ internal reinforcement - you are internally motivated 

The process of observational learning

1. Attention: must pay attention to a model that you identify with  

2. Retention: must be able to retain memory 

3. Reproduction: must be able to (physically) perform the action 

4. Motivation: must want to copy this behaviour 

Supporting evidence

AO1
Behaviour must be modelled, meaning that it is carried out by a role model to the observer - such as a parent, friend or celebrity

AO3
Results from Bandura’s Bobo doll study (-) study was scientifically credible etc, interrater reliability
Children directly mimicked and imitated behaviour of the adult, using same words, same tools e.g. the hammer
Discovered that the role model has the most influence when the role model is the same gender as the child.

Conflicting

AO1
The observer must identify with the role model - normally because they are similar in some way, e.g. same gender, interests or appearance

AO3
Bandura’s Bobo Doll study was only carried out on children and therefore this may limit the ability to generalise his results to the wider population of adults. This theory and studies supporting it rely primarily on data from observations, this is open to subjectivity or bias

Ignores any genetic factors in aggression, example from Raine’s study

Opposing theories

AO1
The observer must observe the behaviour through 4 steps.
Attention - must be paying attention to the behaviour
Retention - must be able to retain this in memory
Reproduction - must be capable physically of carrying out the behaviour
Motivation - must want to carry out the behaviour, or have a reason for doing so

AO3
Classical conditioning is learning through association, supported by evidence from Pavlov’s dogs studies. Conditioned them to salivate at the sound of a bell and a metronome. Existence of an alternative theory undermines the validity of this theory

Usefulness

AO1
Reinforcement is a consequence that increases the likelihood of the behaviour happening again. This can be through vicarious reinforcement (observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour), external reinforcement (you are rewarded yourself) or internal reinforcement (you are internally motivated)

AO3
The vicarious reinforcement aspect of SLT can be used alongside other therapies such as systematic desensitisation, or in token economies
The watershed on TV after 9pm, screening of children’s programmes after Bandura’s study exposed the influence of aggressive role models on behaviour