Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory

1. Key Assumptions

   • Learning that occurs indirectly
     • Bandura agreed with the behaviourist approach
       • That learning occurs through experience
         • However, he also proposed that learning takes place in a social context
           • Through observation and imitation of others behaviour
   • Vicarious Reinforcement
     • Learning related to consequences of behaviour
       • People observe each others behaviour and take note of the consequences
         • Behaviour that is rewarded is much more likely to be imitated
           • Than behaviour that is punished
   • Identification
     • Children are more likely to imitate the behaviour of people that they identify with
       • Such role models tend to be attractive and have a high status

2. Meditational Processes

   • There are 4 cognitive processes
     • Attention
       • Whether behaviour is noticed
     • Retention
       • Whether the behaviour is remembered
     • Motor Reproduction
       • Being able to do the behaviour
     • Motivation
       • The will to perform the behaviour
     • The first two relate to the learning of the behaviour
       • The second to relate two the performing of the behaviour
         • Learning and performance don't have to occur together

3. Bandura's Research (Bobo Dolls)

   • Imitation and Aggression
     • Research 1
       • Children watched a video of either:
         • An adult behaving aggressively towards the bobo doll
           • When given their own doll children who had seen the adult perform aggressively
             • Were much more aggressive towards the doll
         • Or and adult behaving non-aggressively towards the doll
     • Research 2
       • Children saw an adult who was either...
         • Punished, rewarded or shown no concequences
           • When given the doll children who saw the aggression rewarded...
             • Were much more aggressive themselves

4. Children Model Aggressive Behaviour

   • The bobo doll study suggests children are more likely to imitate acts of violence
     • If they observe these in an adult role model
     • Modelling aggressive behaviour is also much more likely...
       • If that behaviour is rewarded