SOCIAL LEARNING

THEORY
Proponent: Albert
Bandura
 People through observation,
simulation,
learn modelling which means
watching (observing) another called a
model and later imitating the model’s
behaviour.

 Concentrates on the power of

example

 People can learn new information and

behavior by watching other people
which is known as observational
learning or modelling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqNaLerMNOE

This study is a laboratory

experiment
investigating the
effects of observing
aggression
Hypotheses:

The researchers made the following four predictions:

1. Children exposed to aggressive models will

reproduce aggressive acts resembling those of the
models.

2. Children exposed to non-aggressive models

will reproduce less aggressive acts.

3. Children will imitate the behaviour of a same-sex model

to a greater degree than a model of the opposite sex.

4. Boys will be more predisposed than girls towards

imitating aggression.
Step 1:
Modeling
Each of the children were individually taken into a room and
left to play with different toys and pictures while:
• 24 children (the first group of 12 boys and 12 girls) watched
either a male or a female model displaying aggressive
towards the bobo doll (a form of a toy). The adults (models)
abused the bobo doll both verbally and physically, hitting
with hammer and shouting “pow, boom, hit him, etc”.
• The next group of 24 children (the second group of 12 boys
and 12 girls) are also taken in the room full of toys, where they
are exposed to a model playing quietly in non-aggressive
manner, ignoring the bobo-doll.
• The last group of remaining 24 children was control group,
who were not exposed to any models.
Step 2: Aggression Arousal

In the second stage, the experimenter used the

aggression arousal technique for all 72 children.
Each of the children was taken to the room full
of attractive toys individually. And, as soon as
the child started to play with the toys, the
experimenter told the kids that those particular
toys were off limits. This was repeated to each
of the 72 children.
Step 3: Delayed Imitation Test

The children were then taken to the next room individually

where they had access to different kinds of aggressive and
non-aggressive toys. Non-aggressive toys like tea set,
bears, plastic animals, crayons and aggressive toys like
peg board, dart guns, and a bobo doll were in the room.

Each child was left in the for 20 and their

room minutes
behaviors
Observationswere observed
were made throughat 5-second
a one-way intervals.
mirror.

Children were also found to display independent behaviors

that weren’t displayed by the model. One of which
included punching the 3 feet bobo doll on the nose.
RESULT
S
The group that was exposed to the aggressive model imitated
aggressive responses in comparison to the other groups.
Children who were exposed to aggressive model were also seen
to show non-imitative and partial aggression.
Girls in the aggressive model group showed physical expression
if the model was male and verbal aggression if the model was
female.
Girls weren’t very keen in imitating the same-sex models (female
models), while boys on the other hand were more likely to
imitate same-sex models.
Physically aggressive responses were imitated by boys more
than the girls. In the case of verbally aggressive responses,
there was virtually no difference between boys and girls.
Conclusion

Albert Bandura succeeded in what he set out to

prove. As per the bobo doll experiment,
children were likely to learn social behavior
such as aggression through observational
learning.

In the later years, the experiment has been a

base for those who argue that media violence
has serious effects on shaping up the behaviors
of the children.
BASIC SOCIAL LEARNING
CONCEPTS
A.Observational Learning
People can learn through observation

B.Intrinsic Reinforcement
Mental states are important for
learning

C.The Modelling Processes

Learning does not lead to a change
in behavior
A. Observational
Learning
Real Life
Exemplified by teachers, parents and
significant others

Symbolic
Presented through oral/written symbols

Representational
Presented through audio-visual measures
B. Intrinsic
Reinforcement

Intrinsic reinforcement is a form

of internal reward, such as
pride, satisfaction and a sense
of accomplishment
C. Modelling
Process
Not all observed behaviors are
effectively learned.
Factors involving both the
the learner
model and c an play a
whether social role
successfu
learning is
l
Four (4) Phases of Observational
Learning
Attention – to focus on something or someone
Mere exposure does not ensure acquisition of behaviour. Observer
must attend to recognize the distinctive features of the models
response
Retention – to store information from the observed behavior
Reproduction of the desired behaviour implies that student
symbolically retains that observed behavior
Motor Reproduction Process – to perform the observed behavior
After observation, physical skills and coordination are needed for
reproduction of the behavior learned
Motivational Process – to be motivated to imitate the modelled
process
Although observer acquires and retains ability to perform the
modelled behaviour, there will be no overt performance unless
Bobo Doll Study with Vicarious
Reinforcement
In 1965, Bandura replicated the experiment
in order to measure vicarious reinforcement.

“Reinforcement obtained by observing another person is

referred to as vicarious reinforcement. In simple terms, we
not only watch what other people do, but we also
evaluate what happens (consequences) of the actions
other people perform. An observer is more likely to imitate
rewarded behavior and refrain from punished behaviour”.
In the same experimental setup:
1. First group saw the model’s aggressio being
rewarded with sweets and drink. n
2. The second group observed the model being
scolded for the aggressive actions.
3. The third group, in a controlled condition, did not
see any consequences.

The children in the group where the model was

punished had clearly observed the behavior but did
not imitate it because of the expected negative
consequences. On the other hand, the group who saw
the model being rewarded for his violent actions
responded with aggressive actions too when presented
with a similar situation.
Self-reinforcement is an administering rewards or punishments to
oneself for meeting, exceeding, or falling short of one’s own
expectations or standards.
Self-reinforcement is a concept highly related to social
reinforcement that involves giving yourself approval for your own
behavior. We often respond to our own behavior with approval
or disapproval, judging our actions just as we would those of
another individual.
When you do something well, you might praise yourself and feel
proud of your accomplishment. If you do poorly, you might
engage in self-recrimination or self-blame. In some cases, you
might actually reward yourself more overtly when you
accomplish a goal that you have set for yourself.
For example, you might buy yourself a new pair of jeans after
you reach your target weight or you might treat yourself to an
indulgent dinner after completing a difficult school project.