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Unlock This CourseAlbert Bandura revolutionised psychology in the 1960s by showing that people don't just learn through direct experience - they also learn by watching others. His Social Learning Theory suggests that we pick up new behaviours, attitudes and emotional reactions by observing and imitating others around us.
This theory bridges the gap between traditional behaviourist approaches (which focus on rewards and punishments) and cognitive approaches (which focus on thinking processes). Bandura argued that learning is a social process that happens through observation, imitation and modelling.
Key Definitions:
Bandura identified four essential steps in social learning: Attention (noticing the behaviour), Retention (remembering what was observed), Reproduction (being able to copy the behaviour) and Motivation (having a reason to imitate the behaviour).
Modelling is everywhere in our daily lives. From the moment we're born, we watch our parents, siblings, teachers and peers to learn how to behave. This process continues throughout our lives as we encounter new situations and role models.
Bandura identified several types of models that influence our behaviour:
Real people in our environment - parents, teachers, friends and celebrities we meet in person. These have the strongest influence because we can interact with them directly.
Characters we see in films, TV shows, books, or online content. Though not physically present, they can still powerfully influence our behaviour and attitudes.
Instructions, descriptions, or explanations of how to behave. This includes advice from others or written guidelines that describe appropriate behaviour.
In 1961, Bandura conducted his most famous study with 72 children aged 3-6 years. Children watched an adult model either behaving aggressively towards a large inflatable doll (hitting, kicking and shouting at it) or playing peacefully. When later given the chance to play with the same doll, children who had observed aggressive behaviour were much more likely to copy these actions, even using the same words and gestures they had witnessed.
In today's digital age, media plays an enormous role in social learning. Television, films, video games and social media platforms provide countless models for behaviour - both positive and negative. Young people spend hours each day consuming media content, making it a powerful source of social learning.
Research has consistently shown that media violence can increase aggressive behaviour in viewers, particularly children. However, media can also promote positive behaviours like helping others, showing empathy and resolving conflicts peacefully.
Studies have linked exposure to violent media with increased aggression, desensitisation to violence and reduced empathy. Children may also copy risky behaviours they see in films or TV shows, such as dangerous stunts or substance use.
Educational programmes and positive role models in media can teach valuable skills like problem-solving, cooperation and kindness. Shows that feature diverse characters can also promote tolerance and understanding.
Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube have created new forms of modelling. Influencers and content creators serve as modern role models, often having more impact on young people than traditional celebrities or even family members.
Social media influencers can shape everything from fashion choices to political opinions. Their apparent authenticity and relatability make them particularly powerful models for behaviour.
Research has shown that exposure to idealised images on social media can negatively impact body image, particularly among teenage girls. Seeing filtered and edited photos of influencers can lead to unrealistic expectations and decreased self-esteem. However, body-positive influencers who promote self-acceptance can have the opposite effect, helping followers develop healthier attitudes towards their appearance.
Not all modelling is equally effective. Several factors influence whether someone will learn from and imitate a model:
We're more likely to imitate models who are similar to us, attractive, successful, or have high status. This is why celebrity endorsements are so powerful in advertising.
If we see a model being rewarded for their behaviour, we're more likely to copy it. If they're punished, we're less likely to imitate them.
Age, personality and self-confidence all affect how likely someone is to learn through observation. Children are generally more susceptible to modelling than adults.
Understanding social learning theory has practical implications for education, parenting and society as a whole.
Teachers can use modelling to demonstrate proper behaviour and academic skills. Peer tutoring programmes work because students learn effectively from slightly older or more skilled classmates.
Anti-bullying programmes often use role-playing and positive peer models to teach appropriate social behaviour. Teachers model problem-solving strategies and study techniques for students to copy.
Parents serve as primary models for their children. Consistent, positive modelling of values like honesty, kindness and perseverance helps children develop these traits themselves.
While social learning theory has been highly influential, it's not without criticism. Some argue that it oversimplifies the learning process and doesn't fully account for individual differences in personality and biology.
The Bobo Doll experiment, while groundbreaking, raised ethical questions about deliberately exposing children to aggressive behaviour. Modern research must balance scientific inquiry with the wellbeing of participants, particularly when studying vulnerable populations like children.
Bandura's Social Learning Theory has fundamentally changed how we understand human behaviour. By recognising the power of observation and imitation, we can better understand how children develop, how media influences society and how we can create positive change through careful modelling of desired behaviours.
In our interconnected world, where media and social platforms provide endless examples of behaviour to observe and potentially imitate, understanding social learning theory is more important than ever. Whether we're parents, teachers, content creators, or simply members of society, we all serve as models for others - and the behaviours we demonstrate can have far-reaching effects on those who observe us.