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Social Learning Theory

Describe the mechanisms of social learning and give one example of social learning in humans, for example of aggression, and evaluate social learning theory as an explanation of human behaviour.

Observational or social learning is based primarily on the work of Albert Bandura. He and his colleagus were able to demonstrate through a variety of experiments that the application of consequences were not necessary for learning to take place. Rather learning could occur through a simple processes of observing someone else's (a model's) activity. Bandura formulated his findings into a four-step mechanism of social learning:

1. Attention - the individual notices something in the environment

2. Retention - the individual remembers what was noticed

3. Reproduction - the individual produces an action that it a copy of what was noticed.

4. Motivation - the environment delivers a consequence that changes the probablility the behaviour will be repeated (reinforcement and punishment)

Notes on Social learning

Questions sheet for you to do on the mechanisms of social learning

Evaluation:

SLT incorporates operant conditioning and cognition, considers motivation. However, genetic elements not considered.

Studies such as Bandura, Ross & Ross “Bashing Bobo” provide evidence that learning is learnt thorugh imitation but are not valid as it was laboratory experiment but was reliable.

Bandura has been credited with widening the scope of the Behaviourism by including mental processes in the understanding of human behaviour. His work raises the profile of cognitive factors in determining our actions and explaining individual differences

He has introduced us to imitation as a major influence on human behaviour, giving us a fuller understanding than earlier behavioural theories.

Research has suggested that observational learning does occur frequently in children and adults.

Observational/Social Learning theory has proved useful in gaining an understanding of children’s behaviour, particularly aggression, and has been invaluable in informing the debate over the effects of media violence.

However, Behaviourist critics of Bandura don’t consider him a pure Behaviourist - the introduction of mental processes into Behavioural psychology makes it less scientific and objective.

Other critics have argued that Observational/Social Learning theory is vague on details of how we influence our environment and make choices.

By focusing on cognitive factors, Bandura has placed less emphasis on emotional factors and these play an important role in determining our behaviour.

Bandura's approach ignores biological and maturational influences on behaviour.