Social Learning theory

Social Learning theory

1. Bandura 1965

   • Bobo doll
     • procedure
       • children aged 3-6 showed a film of an adult being aggressive to a Bobo doll. Taken into a room with toys, including Bobo, free play and observed
         • 3 conditions of video
           • 1- praise
           • 2- punishment
           • 3- no comment
     • findings
       • conclusion
         • vicarious reinforcement has an effect on observational learning
         • boys are more aggressive than girls
       • boys universally more aggressive than girls
         • girls affected more by negative comments
       • groups 1 and 2 showed similar levels of agression
     • evaluation
       • lab study
         • artificial environment
         • well controlled variables
         • objective
       • observers did not know the aim of the study
         • no bias
   • social learning theorist

2. agrees with conditioning

   • but...
     • we learn through observation
       • we copy models
         • good models..
           • are similar to the observer
           • are competent
             • have high status
             • are attractive
           • are rewarded for their behaviour
     • mental processes occur between the stimulus and response

3. evaluation

   • lab studies
     • objective and scientific
       • clear IV and DV
     • artificial
       • low ecological validity
   • believes environment is the chief influence
     • gender differences may be universal
   • considers cognitive factors
     • but does not explain how we develop thoughts and feelings
   • the discovery of mirror neurons gives biological evidence for social learning theory
   • no animal testing