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A* 16 marker essay on social learning theory Bandura
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Outline and evaluate social learning theory as an approach in psychology (16 marks)Bandura agreed with behaviourists that much of our behaviour is learned from experience.
However, Bandura’s social learning theory suggested that we also learn indirectly through
observation and imitation of others in a social context.
For indirect learning to take place an individual observes the behaviour of others. The learner may
imitate this behaviour, but, in general, imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded
rather than punished. Reinforcement experienced by watching others getting rewarded is called
vicarious reinforcement and reinforcement experienced by watching others get punished is called
vicarious punishment. The learner observes a behaviour but most importantly also observes the
consequences of a behaviour.
Social learning theory is often described as the “bridge” between behaviourist learning theory and
the cogntive approach because it focuses on how mental factors are involved in learning. These
mental factors mediate in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired.
Four mediational processes in learning were identified by Bandura: Attention, Retention, Motor
reproduction and Motivation. Attention is the extent to which we notice certain behaviours,
retention is how well the behaviour is remembered, motor reproduction is the ability of the
observer to perform the behaviour and motivation is the will to perform the behaviour, which is
often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished. Attention and retention
relate to the learning of the behaviour and motor reproduction and motivation refer to the
performance of behaviour. Unlike traditional behaviour, the learning and performance of behaviour
does not have to occur together. Observed behaviour may be stored by the observer and
reproduced at a later time.
People are more likely to imitate people they identified with, which is called identification. The
person they identify with is called a role model and the process of imitating a role model is called
modelling. A person becomes a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the
observer, are attractive or have a high status. Role models may not necessarily be physically present
in the enviroment, and this has important implications for the influences of the media on behaviour.
Role models do not have to be physically present they could be someone from the media such as on
the TV or a sports player. These models behaviour is observed and imitated by others. Imitation is a
process more likely to happen if the observer identifies with the model.
One strength of the social learning theory approach is that it recognises the importance of cogntive
factors in learning. Neither classical nor operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of
learning on their own. Humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and use
this to make judgements about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions. This is a strength
of social learning theory as it suggests that social learning theory provides a more comprehensive
explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes.
Despite this, one limitation of social learning theory is that it has been criticised for making too little
reference to the influence of the biological factors on social learning. Although Bandura claimed
natural biological differences influenced our learning potential, he thought that learning itself was
determined by the environment. However, recent research suggests that observational learning, of
the kind Bandura was talking about, may be the result of mirror neurons in the brain, which allow us
to empathise with and imitate other people. This is a limitation of the social learning theory as it
suggests that biological influences on social learning were under-emphasised in social learning
theory.
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