Evaluation of Social Learning Theory
Evaluation of Social learning theory In this essay, I will try to evaluate Social learning theory as originated by Albert Bandura. I am going to use three pieces of evidence, in a form of case studies, which have been done previously to support or contradict Bandura’s theory. I will demonstrate my knowledge of these studies throughout their analysis, trying to highlight their strengths and limitations. Albert Bandura, a 20th century American pszchologist, proposed a very important and probably the most influential theory of development and learning. He believed that: “Most human behaviour is learned observationally through modelling: from observing others, one forms an idea of how new behaviours are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action.” A.Bandura
His theory consists of three core concepts, where observational learning is the most crucial one. There are three basic types of observational learning, which have to be conducted during the process. The first one in which the desired behaviour is demonstrated the second is when verbal instructions are given to the participant, and in the last the desired behaviour occurs in any form of media, where the real or fictional character demonstrates the behaviour.
He also stated four conditions that have to be met in order to be able to learn through observation. These are attention, retention, reproduction and motivation. The first evidence supporting Social learning theory is the well known experiment, conducted by Bandura himself, Ross and Ross in (1961) known as Bobo Doll experiment. In brief, the aim of the experiment was to see whether children would learn aggressive behaviour by observing others. There were three main conditions: two experimental (the aggressive and non aggressive) and one controlled. Aggressive condition was exposed to a video clip, where they saw a role model playing aggressively with an inflated (Bobo) doll (putting the doll on its side, striking
His theory consists of three core concepts, where observational learning is the most crucial one. There are three basic types of observational learning, which have to be conducted during the process. The first one in which the desired behaviour is demonstrated the second is when verbal instructions are given to the participant, and in the last the desired behaviour occurs in any form of media, where the real or fictional character demonstrates the behaviour.
He also stated four conditions that have to be met in order to be able to learn through observation. These are attention, retention, reproduction and motivation. The first evidence supporting Social learning theory is the well known experiment, conducted by Bandura himself, Ross and Ross in (1961) known as Bobo Doll experiment. In brief, the aim of the experiment was to see whether children would learn aggressive behaviour by observing others. There were three main conditions: two experimental (the aggressive and non aggressive) and one controlled. Aggressive condition was exposed to a video clip, where they saw a role model playing aggressively with an inflated (Bobo) doll (putting the doll on its side, striking