Social Learning Theory

The bridge between Behaviourism and cognitivism.

Main Assumptions

Behaviour is learnt from a combination of others’ behaviour and expectation of reinforcement or punishment for copying what is seen.

It combines principles from the behaviourist and cognitive approaches.

Imitation of others’ is a key idea.

Similarities of SLT to the other approaches.

Behaviourist Approach Cognitive Approach

Similarities to SLT

Role of reinforcementBehaviour learnt

Role of cognitive processesFocus on human behaviour rather than animals

Differences from SLT

Importance of expectancySLT looks FWD while Behaviourism looks BWDDistinction between learning and performance in SLT, while they are the same for behaviourismAnimals not seen as the same as humans

Observational learning not part of the cognitive approachCognitive concentrates on processes like schemasSLT still tends to focus on external behaviour, while cognitive approach interested in internal processes

Principles of SLT Bandura explains learning as more complex

than the STIMULUS-RESPONSE approach of behaviourism. Playing down classical conditioning and reflexes, he emphasised two parts to learning:

Observational Learning Expectancy

Observational Learning

This is learning of behaviour from observing the behaviours of others and then imitating it, or, in the case of children, learning through identification. However, imitation is not automatic.

Expectancy Behaviour will only be copied if there

is an expectancy of reinforcement for doing so. A child, for example, watches an aggressive adult winning a fight. This sets in the child’s mind the expectancy of winning by using aggression and the child copies the aggression for this reason. This means that cognitive processes are involved in the SLT.

Cognitive processes involved

Attention Retention Reproduction Motivation

Not all models are copied, it depends on certain issues:

Appropriateness Relevance Similarity Warmth and Friendliness The model having power Admiration Consistency

Differences between SLT and Operant Conditioning

In SLT behaviour is only informed by reinforcement. In behaviourism, behaviour determined by reinforcement.

SLT works FWD, Behaviourism works BWD

Behaviourism dismisses Cognitive Processes. SLT bring in Memory and Attention.

The Bobo Doll Experiment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCETgT_Xfzg&feature=related

Strengths

Adds cognitive processes to behaviourist principles

Based on lab experiments Less deterministic and reductionist Good at explaining specific imitated

behaviour Explains development of culture and

complex behaviours

Limitations

Doesn’t explain how cognitive processes work

Still concentrates mostly on external behaviour

Lab experiments are artificial Criticisms of Bobo Doll studies Not good at explaining learning of

abstract ideas