The learning approach: social learning theory

Social learning theory
Bandura agreed with behaviourists that much of our behaviour is learned from experience. His SLT proposed that people learn through observation and imitiation of others in a social context. SLY suggests learning occurs directly through classical and operant conditioning, and indirectly.

Vicarious reinforcement: for indirect learning to take place, an individual observes the behaviour of others and may imitate the behaviour if it is seen to be rewarded rather than punished (i.e. vicarious reinforcement occurs)

Mediational processes
SLT is often described as 'the bridge' between traditional learning theory and the cognitive approach because it focuses on how cognitive factors are involved in learning. These mental factors mediate in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired. Bandura identified four meditational processes: attention (the extent to which we notice certain behaviours), retention (how well the behaviour is…