The Social Learning Theory

The Social Learning Theory

Proposed by Bandura. He takes the core principle of behaviourism - people learn from the environment. A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement

Assumptions of the Social Learning Theory

Believes that children learn through observation of role models. Imitation of the behaviours observed from role models. Social contexts - learning isn’t innate (natural) but is learnt via the child’s environment

Imitation

Key determinants of whether behaviour is imitated is, the characteristics of the model, the observer’s perceived ability to perform that behaviour and the observed consequences of that behaviour

Identification

People are more likely to imitate people they identify with. The person they identify with is a role model. Imitating their behaviour is called modelling. A person becomes a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer

Vicarious reinforcement

Reinforcement which is indirectly experienced. Occurs through observing a behaviour and the consequence of the behaviour. Imitation of the behaviour only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded

Meditational processes

Cognitive element of SLT. Focus on how cognitive factors are involved in learning. First two relate to learning behaviour and the last two relate to performance

What are four meditational processes?

Attention, retention, reproduction, motivation

Attention

The extent to which we notice certain behaviours

Retention

How well the behaviour is remembered

Reproduction

The ability of the observer to imitate the behaviour

Motivation

The desire to perform the behaviour, the need to be rewarded