A way of explaining behaviour that involves both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
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What is Imitation?
Copying the behaviour of others
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What is Identification?
When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model
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What is 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
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What is 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
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What is a Mediational Process?
Cognitive factors (i.e. thinking) that influence learning and come between stimulus and response
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What are the Four Mediational Processes?
Attention, Retention, Motor Reproduction and Motivation
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What did Bandura do in his Research?
Children watched either an adult behaving aggressively or non-aggressively towards a Bobo doll. In another condition, children saw an adult who was either rewarded, punished, or had no consequence.
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What did Bandura Find?
1. It was found that when given their own doll to play with, children who seen aggression were more aggressive towards the doll. 2. When they were given the doll, the children who saw the behaviour rewarded were more aggressive towards the doll
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What is Attention?
The extent to which we notice certain behaviours
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What is Retention?
How well the behaviour is remembered
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What is Motor Production?
The ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
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What is Motivation?
The will to perform the behaviour, which is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished
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AO3 - SLT Emphasises the Importance of Cognitive Factors in Learning
Classical/operant conditioning can't offer a comprehensive account of learning. Humans/animals store information about others' behaviour to make judgements. SLT - more complete explanation of learning by recognising the role of mediational processes
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AO3 - SLT Relies Too Heavily on Evidence from Controlled Lab Studies
Bandura's ideas developed through observation of children's behaviour in lab settings - demand characteristics. Children may have been behaving as they thought was expected. Research tells us little about how children actually learn aggression
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AO3 - SLT Underestimates the Influence of Biological Factors
Boys showed more aggression than girls regardless of the condition - could be due to different levels of testosterone (linked to aggression). Bandura could've underplayed the important influence of biological factors on social learning
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AO3 - SLT can Account for Cultural Differences in Behaviour
Social learning principles can account for how children learn from others', and media - explains how cultural norms are transmitted - useful in understanding behaviours. Biological approach - biological processes don't change with culture
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AO3 - SLT is Less Determinist than the Behaviourist Approach
Bandura - reciprocal determinism. This element of choice suggests that there is free will in how we behave. This is a more realistic/flexible position than is suggested by the behaviourist approach as it recognises how we shape our environment
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What is Reciprocal Determinism?
A person's behaviour both influences and is influenced by personal factors and the social environment
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