Social Learning

Theory
Albert Bandura
ALBERT BANDURA
ALBERT
BANDURA
 "children and adults acquire
attitudes, emotional responses,
and new styles of conduct
through filmed and televised
modeling."
Observational learning, imitation
and modeling
Continuous interaction between
behaviors, personal factors, and
the environment.
RECIPROCAL CAUSATION
MODEL
Bobo Doll Experiment (1961)
Bobo Doll Experiment

children exhibited more aggression when the adult

models were rewarded for their attack on the
Bobo doll than when they were punished
Bobo Doll Experiment

reinforcement doesn't affect the learning of novel

responses, but it does "determine whether or not
observationally acquired competencies will be put
into use"
Bobo Doll Experiment

A model's primary function, which is to transmit

information to the observer. This function occurs in
any of three ways:
Modeled behaviors serve as cues to initiate
similar behaviors in others.
Bobo Doll Experiment

They also serve to strengthen or weaken the

learner's existing restraints against the
performance of a modeled behavior.
They're used to demonstrate new patterns of
behavior.
Observational Learning

learning by observing others

Meditational Process

occurs between observing the behavior (stimulus) and

imitating it or not (response)
humans are active information processors and think
about the relationship between their behavior and its
consequences.
mental factors mediate (i.e. intervene) in the learning
process to determine whether a new response is acquired
Attention
Retention
Reproduction
Motivation
There are four mediational
processes proposed by
Bandura:
Attention Retention

The cognitive process

of selectively
concentrating on one How well the behavior
aspect of the is remembered
environment while
ignoring other things
Reproduction Motivation

The ability to perform

the behavior that the The will to perform the
model has just behavior
demonstrated
 Attention and focus matter
Retention depends on context
Reproduction occurs on demand
Motivation can be intrinsic or
extrinsic
Social Learning Theory

Social Cognitive Theory

References:

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory.
Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Bandura, A. Ross, D., & Ross, S. A. (1961). Transmission of aggression through the imitation of
aggressive models. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 63, 575-582
Bandura, A. (1973). Aggression: A Social Learning Analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-
Hall.
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: W.H. Freeman.
Bandura, A. (1969). Principles of Behavior Modification. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
Bandura, A. & Walters, R. (1963). Social Learning and Personality Development. New York:
Holt, Rinehart & Winston.