The Social Learning Theory
Assumptions:
Albert 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:
o Learning related to consequences of behaviour
o Children and adults observe other people’s behaviour and take note of its
consequences. Behaviour that is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) is more
likely to be copied
Mediational Processes:
There are four mediational processes in learning:
1. Attention - whether behaviour is noticed
2. Retention - whether behaviour is remembered
3. Motor reproduction - being able to do it
4. Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour
The first two relate to the learning, the last two to the performance so, unlike behaviourism,
learning and performance do not have to occur together.
Identification:
Identification with role models is important. Identification occurs with another person (the
model) and involves taking on (or adopting) observed behaviours, values, beliefs and
attitudes of the person with whom they are identifying. Such role models are similar to the
observer, attractive and have high status.
Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment:
Bandura (1961) conducted a controlled experiment to investigate if social behaviours such
as aggression can be acquired by observation and imitation. Bandura, Ross, and Ross (et
al.) tested 36 boys and 36 girls from the Stanford University Nursery School aged between 3
to 6 years old.
A lab experiment was used, in which the independent variable (the type of model) was
manipulated in three conditions:
Aggressive model is shown to 24 children
Non-aggressive model is shown to 24 children
No model shown (control condition) - 24 children
When given their own doll to play with, the children who had seen aggression were much
more aggressive towards the doll.
In 1965, Bandura conducted a similar experiment to test vicarious reinforcement. Children
saw an adult who was:
Rewarded
Punished
There was no punishment
Assumptions:
Albert 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:
o Learning related to consequences of behaviour
o Children and adults observe other people’s behaviour and take note of its
consequences. Behaviour that is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) is more
likely to be copied
Mediational Processes:
There are four mediational processes in learning:
1. Attention - whether behaviour is noticed
2. Retention - whether behaviour is remembered
3. Motor reproduction - being able to do it
4. Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour
The first two relate to the learning, the last two to the performance so, unlike behaviourism,
learning and performance do not have to occur together.
Identification:
Identification with role models is important. Identification occurs with another person (the
model) and involves taking on (or adopting) observed behaviours, values, beliefs and
attitudes of the person with whom they are identifying. Such role models are similar to the
observer, attractive and have high status.
Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment:
Bandura (1961) conducted a controlled experiment to investigate if social behaviours such
as aggression can be acquired by observation and imitation. Bandura, Ross, and Ross (et
al.) tested 36 boys and 36 girls from the Stanford University Nursery School aged between 3
to 6 years old.
A lab experiment was used, in which the independent variable (the type of model) was
manipulated in three conditions:
Aggressive model is shown to 24 children
Non-aggressive model is shown to 24 children
No model shown (control condition) - 24 children
When given their own doll to play with, the children who had seen aggression were much
more aggressive towards the doll.
In 1965, Bandura conducted a similar experiment to test vicarious reinforcement. Children
saw an adult who was:
Rewarded
Punished
There was no punishment
