social learning theory

what are the role of models

for social learning to take place , someone has to demonstrate or “model” the behaviour

what different types of models are there and exmaple of each

• live models-parents/teachers/peers

• symbolic models-celebrities, TV characters

what are factors of imitation

• characteristics of the model

• observer’s perceived ability to recreate the behaviour

• the observed consequences(vicarious reinforcement)

what is identification

refers to the extent the observer relates to the model

timeline of vicarious reinforcement identification imitation

1. identify

2. vicarious reinforcement

3. imitation

what are the mediational processes

1. attention

2. retention

3. reproduction

4. motivation

three main conclusions from bandura, ross and ross (1961) SLT of aggression

1. children are more likely to imitate same sex models

2. children imitate violent and non-violent behaviours from models

3. boys are more aggressive than girls

strength of SLT

• had useful applications

• Osborne and west(1979) 40% of sons with fathers as criminals convictions had committed a crime before the age of 28 compared to the 13% of the control group

• prisons expensive → less prisoners → cheaper + better functioning society

limitation of SLT

• reductionist disregards other factors such as biology

• reduces all component parts of behaviour down to one

• not a full explanation of behaviour

• many potential influences on behaviours hard to prove SLT was the cause

• examle