Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory: A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.

Imitation: Copying the behaviour of others.

Identification: When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model.

Modelling: From the observer’s perspective, modelling is imitating the behaviour of a role model. From the role model’s perspective, modelling is the precise demonstration of a specific behaviour that may be imitated by an observer.

Vicarious Reinforcement: Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour. This is a key factor in imitation.

Mediational Processes: Cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response. They are attention, retention, motivation and motor reproduction.

Bandura et al (1961): Recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult hit a Bobo doll with a hammer and shout abuse. When these children were later seen playing with toys, they behaved more aggressively towards the Bobo doll than those that had observed non-aggressive adults.

Bandura and Walters (1963): Showed videos to children where an adult behaved aggressively towards the Bobo doll. The adult that was praised for their behaviour influenced children to behave more aggressively towards the bobo doll than the adult punished.

Cognitive Factors: Neither classical nor operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own as humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements about when they should do certain actions which suggests SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning.

Contrived Lab Studies: Many of Bandura’s ideas were developed through observing young children in a lab but this can be criticised as participants may respond to demand characteristics. In regard to the bobo doll research, the children may have struck it because the main purpose of the doll is to strike it.

Real-World Application: SLT has the advantage of being able to explain cultural differences in behaviour as modelling, imitation and reinforcement can account for how children learn from others, including the media, which can establish cultural norms.