Social Learning Theory

This theory suggests that humans learn behaviour through observation and imitation.
It is based on the theory of Bandura.

Observation Observational learning is when a person learns a new

behaviour by watching behaviours of others.

Imitation This is when a person copies a behaviour they have seen by a

model. A model could be their parents for example.

Modelling This is a method of learning, by watching and imitating the

behaviour of others.
o Vicarious Reinforcement This is a process of learning through
watching and seeing the consequences of another persons behaviour,
any copying their behaviour that they are rewarded for.

Identification This is the process of wanting to be like the role model. It

occurs when the observer takes on the values, beliefs and attitudes of a role
model and therefore their behaviour reflects their role models behaviour. This
is more likely to occur if the role model is the same sex.
The Stages Of Social Learning
1. Attention
This is the process of selectively focusing on specific information in the
environment. Bandura argued that learning cannot take place if the observer
does not pay attention to the role model. Attention is dependent on three
factors:
o How distinctive / unusual the behaviour being shown is
o How alert the observer is
o The characteristics of the role model.
2. Retention
This is if the observer retains the behaviour they have seen.
3. Reproduction
This is when the observer actually carries out the behaviour they have seen.
4. Motivation (Reinforcement)
This is a necessary condition for the other stages to take place. This can be
achieved in different ways. They might have:
o Intrinsic Motivation This is doing something because it makes you
feel good.

o Extrinsic Motivation This is doing something because it helps you get

a physical and tangible reward at the end.
o Vicarious reinforcement also serves to motivate people to copy
behaviours.

Evaluation of Social Learning Theory

One weakness is the research findings. Bandura is strong evidence that challenges
the social learning theory as it is not generalizable to the whole of society as they
only did the experiment on children and no tests on adults. Therefore, this is not
generalizable.
One strength is practical application. The Social Learning Theory has practical
application as it is used in the real world, an example would be the Token
Economies. The participants will see other learners acquiring tokens and then
spending them to get rewards. This is also vicarious reinforcement.
Another strength is credibility. The Social Learning Theory is credible because a lot
of the research done is scientific as they have been carried out in lab conditions and
using one-way mirrors and multiple observers for inter-rater reliability and therefore it
has a physical presence and can be objectively tested.