Outline and evaluate the social
learning theory approach. Refer to
evidence in your answer. [16 marks]
The Social Learning Theory (SLT) focuses on how
behaviours may be learnt through the
observation of our external environment and role
models. This theory was developed by Bandura,
in the 1960s, who strongly emphasised the
importance of vicarious learning which can be
defined as the imitation of another individual’s
behaviour due to the positive reinforcement (e.g
praise, rewards, etc.) they received in response
to their behaviour. Imitation will most likely occur
if the learner identifies with the person they are
imitating (the role model).
Bandura identifies four mediational processes
which are crucial in distinguishing the difference
between learning and performing in social
learning. Mediational processes are cognitive
processes that occur between the stimulus (the
observation of a role model’s behaviour) and the
response (imitation) that affect whether the
learned behaviour is produced. The first
mediational process is attention; the observer
must notice and pay attention to the behaviour of
the person they want to imitate. Then retention
needs to also be considered; the observer should
be remembering that behaviour so that they can
imitate it. Bandura also highlighted the
importance of motor reproduction; the
consideration of our own ability to perform the
learning theory approach. Refer to
evidence in your answer. [16 marks]
The Social Learning Theory (SLT) focuses on how
behaviours may be learnt through the
observation of our external environment and role
models. This theory was developed by Bandura,
in the 1960s, who strongly emphasised the
importance of vicarious learning which can be
defined as the imitation of another individual’s
behaviour due to the positive reinforcement (e.g
praise, rewards, etc.) they received in response
to their behaviour. Imitation will most likely occur
if the learner identifies with the person they are
imitating (the role model).
Bandura identifies four mediational processes
which are crucial in distinguishing the difference
between learning and performing in social
learning. Mediational processes are cognitive
processes that occur between the stimulus (the
observation of a role model’s behaviour) and the
response (imitation) that affect whether the
learned behaviour is produced. The first
mediational process is attention; the observer
must notice and pay attention to the behaviour of
the person they want to imitate. Then retention
needs to also be considered; the observer should
be remembering that behaviour so that they can
imitate it. Bandura also highlighted the
importance of motor reproduction; the
consideration of our own ability to perform the
