Social Learning Theory

• We’ll begin by understanding the social learning theory definition.
• Then, how can we understand the social learning theory in psychology?
• What was Albert Bandura’s social learning theory?
• As we move along, we’ll discuss a few social learning theory examples.
• To conclude, we will look at some social learning theory evaluation points.

Social Learning Theory: Definition

This may be the first time you’ve learned about the social learning theory, but chances are, it’s not the first time you’ve noticed this phenomenon. So what is the social learning theory definition?

The social learning theory can be considered an arch between the cognitive and behavioural approaches. It considers behavioural factors and the mediational processes involved in learning.

• These modelling behaviours may strengthen or weaken through reinforcement and punishment (i.e. if a child is rewarded for their modelling behaviour, that behaviour increases and vice versa if they are punished).
• Humans also experience vicarious reinforcement (or vicarious punishment) in response to modelling behaviour.
  • When we observe someone we look up to or view as similar to ourselves succeed, our brain’s reward systems are also activated, almost as if we share their success vicariously.

Albert Bandura (1961) conducted a lab experiment that included 36 girls and 36 boys. All the children were in the age group of 3-6 years and divided into three groups.

• Group 1: 12 boys and 12 girls were exposed to a model hitting an inflatable “bobo” doll with a hammer and shouting at it.

• Group 2: 12 boys and 12 girls were exposed to a model displaying non-aggressive behaviour towards the doll, such as verbally abusing the doll.

• Group 3: 12 girls and 12 boys were not exposed to any model (placebo group).

In 1963, Bandura and Walter repeated Bandura’s experiment but slightly changed it.

• Group 1: children were exposed to an aggressive model and praised for their behaviour.

• Group 2: children were exposed to an aggressive model and punished for their behaviour.

• Group 3: children were exposed to an aggressive model who received no consequences for their behaviour.

Fig. 3 - We carry the influence of social media in our pockets.

Social Learning Theory Evaluation

The social learning theory is powerful and influential in the field of psychology. However, it has its critics. So how can we evaluate the social learning theory?

Pros -

• Compared to conditioning, social learning theory presents a more comprehensive example of human behaviour that considers cognitive factors such as mediational processes, so it can be considered more holistic.

• Social learning theory may explain the influence of media on human behaviour, which is beneficial for us to understand the role it plays in society, i.e. positive or negative.

• It helps explain cultural differences in determining human behaviour because people imitate the behaviours they are exposed to.

Cons -

• The entire sample of the experiments was children; if the experiments included adults, the results might have been different as the adults have more developed and complex moral values than children. This suggests the research is non-representative and lacks generalisability.

• Both these experiments were lab-controlled, which implies that children might not have reacted the same way in real life, as at such an age, children’s behaviour can be guided or tamped down by their parents. The experiments can be considered to lack ecological validity due to this.

• Biological factors such as high testosterone hormone levels might involve involvement, which may explain why boys showed more aggression than girls; therefore, the research can be considered too simplistic.