Albert Bandura (Social Learning Theory)

Bandura - Social
Learning Theory
by Saul McLeod published 2011, updated 2016
In social learning theory Albert Bandura (1977) agrees with the
behaviourist learning theories of classical conditioning and operant
conditioning. However, he adds two important ideas:
1. Mediating processes occur between stimuli & responses.
2. Behavior is learned from the environment through the process of
observational learning.
Observational Learning
Children observe the people around them behaving in various ways.
This is illustrated during the famous Bobo doll experiment (Bandura,
1961).
Individuals that are observed are called models. In society, children
are surrounded by many influential models, such as parents within the
family, characters on children’s TV, friends within their peer group and
teachers at school. Theses models provide examples of behavior to
observe and imitate, e.g. masculine and feminine, pro and anti-social
etc.
Children pay attention to some of these people (models)

andencode their behavior. At a later time they may imitate (i.e. copy)
the behavior they have observed. They may do this regardless of
whether the behavior is ‘gender appropriate’ or not, but there are a
number of processes that make it more likely that a child will
reproduce the behavior that its society deems appropriate for its sex.
First, the child is more likely to attend to and imitate those people it perceives as similar to itself.
Consequently, it is more likely to imitate behavior modeled by people of the same sex.
Second, the people around the child will respond to the behavior it
imitates with either reinforcement or punishment. If a child imitates a
model’s behavior and the consequences are rewarding, the child is
likely to continue performing the behavior. If parent sees a little girl
consoling her teddy bear and says “what a kind girl you are”, this is
rewarding for the child and makes it more likely that she will repeat the
behavior. Her behavior has been reinforced (i.e. strengthened).
Reinforcement can be external or internal and can be positive or

negative. If a child wants approval from parents or peers, this
approval is an external reinforcement, but feeling happy about being
approved of is an internal reinforcement. A child will behave in a way
which it believes will earn approval because it desires approval.
Positive (or negative) reinforcement will have little impact if the

reinforcement offered externally does not match with an individual's
needs. Reinforcement can be positive or negative, but the important
factor is that it will usually lead to a change in a person's behavior.
Third, the child will also take into account of what happens to other
people when deciding whether or not to copy someone’s actions. A
person learns by observing the consequences of another person’s (i.e.
models) behaviour e.g. a younger sister observing an older sister
being rewarded for a particular behaviour is more likely to repeat that
behaviour herself. This is known as vicarious reinforcement.
This relates to attachment to specific models that possess qualities

seen as rewarding. Children will have a number of models with whom
they identify. These may be people in their immediate world, such as
parents or older siblings, or could be fantasy characters or people in
the media. The motivation to identify with a particular model is that
they have a quality which the individual would like to possess.
Identification occurs with another person (the model) and involves

taking on (or adopting) observed behaviors, values, beliefs and
attitudes of the person with whom you are identifying.
The term identification as used by Social Learning Theory is similar to

the Freudian term related to the Oedipus complex. For example, they
both involve internalizing or adopting another person’s behavior.
However, during the Oedipus complex the child can only identify with
the same sex parent, whereas with Social Learning Theory the person
(child or adult) can potentially identify with any other person.
Identification is different to imitation as it may involve a number of

behaviors being adopted, whereas imitation usually involves copying a
single behavior.
Mediational Processes
SLT is often described as the ‘bridge’ between traditional learning
theory (ie. behaviourism) and the cognitive approach. This is because
it focuses on how mental (cognitive) factors are involved in learning.
Unlike Skinner, Bandura (1977) believes that humans are
active information processors and think about the relationship
between their behavior and its consequences. Observational learning
could not occur unless cognitive processes were at work. These
mental factors mediate (i.e. intervene) in the learning process to
determine whether a new response is acquired.
Therefore, individuals do not automatically observe the behaviour of a
model and imitate it. There is some thought prior to imitation and this
consideration is called mediational processes. This occurs between
observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response)
There are four mediational processes proposed by Bandura:
1. Attention: For a behaviour to be imitated it has to grab our

attention. We observe many behaviours on a daily basis and many
of these are not noteworthy. Attention is therefore extremely
important in whether a behaviour has an influence in others
imitating it.
2. Retention: The behaviour may be noticed, but is it not always

remembered which obviously prevents imitation. It is important
therefore that a memory of the behaviour is formed to be
performed later by the observer. Much of social learning is not
immediate so this process is especially vital in those cases. Even if
the behaviour is reproduced shortly after seeing it, there needs to
be a memory to refer to.
3. Reproduction: We see much behaviour on a daily basis that we

would like to be able to imitate but that this not always possible.
We are limited by our physical ability and for that reason, even if
we wish to reproduce the behaviour, we cannot. This influences
our decisions whether to try and imitate it or not. Imagine the
scenario of a 90-year-old-lady who struggles to walk watching
Dancing on Ice. She may appreciate that the skill is a desirable
one, but she will not attempt to imitate it because she physically
cannot do it.
4. Motivation: The rewards and punishment that follow a behaviour

will be considered by the observer. If the perceived rewards
outweighs the perceived costs (if there are any) then the behaviour
will be more likely to be imitated by the observer. If the vicarious
reinforcement is not seen to be important enough to the observer
then they will not imitate the behaviour.
Critical Evaluation
The social learning approach takes thought processes into account
and acknowledges the role that they play in deciding if a behaviour is
to be imitated or not. As such, SLT provides a more comprehensive
explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational
processes.
Some criticisms of social learning theory arise from their commitment
to the environment as the chief influence on behaviour. It is limiting to
describe behavior solely in terms of either nature or nurture, and
attempts to do this underestimate the complexity of human behavior. It
is more likely that behavior is due to an interaction between nature
(biology) and nurture (environment).
Learning theory is not a full explanation for all behaviour. This is

particularly the case when there is no apparent role model in the
person’s life to imitate for a given behaviour.
What is Social Learning Theory?
The social learning theory proposed by Albert Bandurahas

become perhaps the most influential theory of learning and
development. While rooted in many of the basic concepts of
traditional learning theory, Bandura believed that direct
reinforcement could not account for all types of learning.
While the behavioral theories of learning suggested that all
learning was the result of associations formed by conditioning,
reinforcement, and punishment, Bandura's social learning theory
proposed that learning can also occur simply by observing the
actions of others.
His theory added a social element, arguing that people can learn
new information and behaviors by watching other people. Known
as observational learning (or modeling), this type of learning can
be used to explain a wide variety of behaviors.
Bandura explained:
"Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention

hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own
actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human
behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from
observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are
performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves
as a guide for action."
-Albert Bandura, Social Learning Theory, 1977
CONTINUE READING BELOW OUR VIDEO
Overview Of The Social Learning Theory
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Basic Social Learning Concepts
There are three core concepts at the heart of social learning

theory. First is the idea that people can learn through observation.
Next is the notion that internal mental states are an essential part
of this process. Finally, this theory recognizes that just because
something has been learned, it does not mean that it will result in
a change in behavior.
Let's explore each of these concepts in greater depth.
1. People can learn through observation.

Observational Learning
In his famous Bobo doll experiment, Bandura demonstrated that
children learn and imitate behaviors they have observed in other
people. The children in Bandura’s studies observed an adult
acting violently toward a Bobo doll.
When the children were later allowed to play in a room with the
Bobo doll, they began to imitate the aggressive actions they had
previously observed.
Bandura identified three basic models of observational learning:
1. A live model, which involves an actual individual

demonstrating or acting out a behavior.
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1. A verbal instructional model, which involves descriptions and
explanations of a behavior.
2. A symbolic model, which involves real or fictional characters
displaying behaviors in books, films, television programs, or
online media.
2. Mental states are important to learning.
Intrinsic Reinforcement
Bandura noted that external, environmental reinforcement was
not the only factor to influence learning and behavior. He
described intrinsic reinforcement as a form of internal reward,
such as pride, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment. This
emphasis on internal thoughts and cognitions helps connect
learning theories to cognitive developmental theories. While many
textbooks place social learning theory with behavioral theories,
Bandura himself describes his approach as a 'social cognitive
theory.'
3. Learning does not necessarily lead to a change

in behavior.
While behaviorists believed that learning led to a permanent

change in behavior, observational learning demonstrates that
people can learn new information without demonstrating new
behaviors.
The Modeling Process

Not all observed behaviors are effectively learned. Factors
involving both the model and the learner can play a role in
whether social learning is successful. Certain requirements and
steps must also be followed. The following steps are involved in
the observational learning and modeling process:
 Attention:
In order to learn, you need to be paying attention. Anything that
distracts your attention is going to have a negative effect on
observational learning. If the model interesting or there is a novel
aspect to the situation, you are far more likely to dedicate your full
attention to learning.
 Retention:
The ability to store information is also an important part of the
learning process. Retention can be affected by a number of
factors, but the ability to pull up information later and act on it is
vital to observational learning.
 Reproduction:
Once you have paid attention to the model and retained the
information, it is time to actually perform the behavior you
observed. Further practice of the learned behavior leads to
improvement and skill advancement.
 Motivation:
Finally, in order for observational learning to be successful, you
have to be motivated to imitate the behavior that has been
modeled. Reinforcement and punishment play an important role in
motivation. While experiencing these motivators can be highly
effective, so can observing other experience some type of
reinforcement or punishment. For example, if you see another
student rewarded with extra credit for being to class on time, you
might start to show up a few minutes early each day.
Final Thoughts
In addition to influencing other psychologists, Bandura's social

learning theory has had important implication in the field of
eduction. Today, both teachers and parents recognize the
importance of modeling appropriate behaviors. Other classroom
strategies such as encouraging children and building self-
efficacy are also rooted in social learning theory.

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What are the three basic models of observational learning according to Bandura?

What are the three basic models of observational learning according to Bandura?

What are the steps involved in the observational learning and modeling process?

What are the steps involved in the observational learning and modeling process?

Bandura - Social

Children pay attention to some of these people (models)

Reinforcement can be external or internal and can be positive or

Positive (or negative) reinforcement will have little impact if the

This relates to attachment to specific models that possess qualities

Identification occurs with another person (the model) and involves

The term identification as used by Social Learning Theory is similar to

Identification is different to imitation as it may involve a number of

There are four mediational processes proposed by Bandura:

1. Attention: For a behaviour to be imitated it has to grab our

2. Retention: The behaviour may be noticed, but is it not always

3. Reproduction: We see much behaviour on a daily basis that we

4. Motivation: The rewards and punishment that follow a behaviour

Learning theory is not a full explanation for all behaviour. This is

What is Social Learning Theory?

The social learning theory proposed by Albert Bandurahas

"Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention

Basic Social Learning Concepts

There are three core concepts at the heart of social learning

Let's explore each of these concepts in greater depth.

1. People can learn through observation.

Bandura identified three basic models of observational learning:

1. A live model, which involves an actual individual

2. Mental states are important to learning.

3. Learning does not necessarily lead to a change

While behaviorists believed that learning led to a permanent

The Modeling Process

In addition to influencing other psychologists, Bandura's social

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