SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
Albert bandura developed the SLT approach. Therefore it combines principles of the
cognitive and the behaviourist approach.
SLT suggests that all behaviour is learned from experience, but in a social context.
Learning occurs through observation of the behaviour of others (role models)
Learning and performance are not the same activity.
SLT sees people as active manipulators of their own environment rather than passive
recievers of experiences.
ASSUMPTIONS OF THE SLT APPROACH
- Aggressive behaviour is caused by observations, imitations and experiences.
- Operant conditioning suggests that we leartn through direct reinforcement.
- Children learn by watching bad behavious getting rewarded.
- Children who produce aggressive behaviour have self-efficacy. The children who
don’t will have less confidence and would be less likely to repeat it.
On Going development of behaviour –
Behaviour observed – Behaviour imitated – Behaviour Reinforced – Behaviour
repeated – behvaiour internalised.
(Behaviour is observed and if it is worth imitating then they do so, more likely to be
due to self eficacy. If they are punished then it won’t be repeated or else it will. Over
time, it becomes a part of somone’s behaviour.
EVALUATION –
More comprehensive accounts of learning than proposed to behaviourism.
Can account for development of cultural differences, such as gender roles.
Underestimates the importance of biological influence as social learning involves
neurons in the brain.
Children were a part of this experiment and so what they learn may have an effect
on their future lives (Bobo doll experiment).
Albert bandura developed the SLT approach. Therefore it combines principles of the
cognitive and the behaviourist approach.
SLT suggests that all behaviour is learned from experience, but in a social context.
Learning occurs through observation of the behaviour of others (role models)
Learning and performance are not the same activity.
SLT sees people as active manipulators of their own environment rather than passive
recievers of experiences.
ASSUMPTIONS OF THE SLT APPROACH
- Aggressive behaviour is caused by observations, imitations and experiences.
- Operant conditioning suggests that we leartn through direct reinforcement.
- Children learn by watching bad behavious getting rewarded.
- Children who produce aggressive behaviour have self-efficacy. The children who
don’t will have less confidence and would be less likely to repeat it.
On Going development of behaviour –
Behaviour observed – Behaviour imitated – Behaviour Reinforced – Behaviour
repeated – behvaiour internalised.
(Behaviour is observed and if it is worth imitating then they do so, more likely to be
due to self eficacy. If they are punished then it won’t be repeated or else it will. Over
time, it becomes a part of somone’s behaviour.
EVALUATION –
More comprehensive accounts of learning than proposed to behaviourism.
Can account for development of cultural differences, such as gender roles.
Underestimates the importance of biological influence as social learning involves
neurons in the brain.
Children were a part of this experiment and so what they learn may have an effect
on their future lives (Bobo doll experiment).
