social learning theory

What’s social learning theory

Learning through observing role models and imitating behaviours that are rewarded

Who was social learning theory developed by?

Albert Bandura

What is vicarious reinforcement

An individual observes the behaviour and consequence of someone else - individual is more likely to imitate the behaviour if they see it being reinforced

What’s identification

People are more likely to imitate someone they identify with eg a role model. (Same sex, age and high status

What are the four mediational processes that determine whether a behaviour if imitated

Attention- whether behaviour is noticed

Retention- whether behaviour is remembered

Reproduction- physically being able to do behaviour

Motivation- the will to perform the behaviour

What was the aim of the bobo doll experiment ?

To investigate whether aggressive behaviour could be acquired through observation and imitation of aggressive role models.

Strengths of SLT

Research support, lab experiment , controlled scientific

Useful applications eg criminal behaviour

Limitations of SLT

Low ecological validity , unfamiliar role model, setting etc

Imitation measured immediately, no long term effect

May have responded to demand characteristics, thought it was expected of them to be aggressive