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Bandura's Social Learning Theory for Kids: Fun Examples and Bobo Doll Adventure

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social learning theory - AO1

1,093

8 Jul 2025

4 pages

Bandura's Social Learning Theory for Kids: Fun Examples and Bobo Doll Adventure

Social Learning Theoryis a comprehensive framework explaining how individuals... Show more

2
social learning theory
main assumptions
• behaviour is learned from experience
• people learn via a process of observation and imitation o

Evaluation of Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory has demonstrated significant practical applications and scientific credibility, but it also faces some criticisms.

Strengths:

  1. Practical Applications: Influenced media regulations, such as the 9 PM watershed Shaped content presentation for children on television

Example: The 9 PM watershed in broadcasting aims to protect children from inappropriate content, based on SLT principles.

  1. Scientific Credibility: Employs scientific research methods, including experiments Focuses on quantitative data for hypothesis testing and replication

Highlight: The use of scientific methods in SLT research, such as Bandura's Bobo doll experiment, contributes to psychology's status as a science.

Weakness:

  1. Reductionist Approach: Simplifies human behavior to observation and imitation May not account for innate behaviors or individual differences

Definition: Reductionism in psychology refers to the attempt to explain complex human behaviors by breaking them down into simpler components.

Vocabulary: Innate behaviors are those that are not learned but are present from birth or develop naturally as part of an organism's genetic makeup.

2
social learning theory
main assumptions
• behaviour is learned from experience
• people learn via a process of observation and imitation o

Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment

The Bobo doll experiment, conducted by Albert Bandura in 1963, is a landmark study in social learning theory research.

Aim: To demonstrate how aggressive behavior is learned through observation, imitation, and reinforcement.

Procedure:

  1. 72 children 36male,36female36 male, 36 female, aged 3-5 years, participated
  2. Lab experiment with individual testing
  3. Children observed an adult interacting with a Bobo doll
  4. Experimental group: Adult behaved aggressively towards the doll
  5. Control group: Adult played nicely with the doll
  6. Children were then placed in a room with the Bobo doll and other toys

Findings:

  • Experimental group children exhibited both physical and verbal aggression towards the doll, mimicking the adult's behavior
  • Control group children showed no aggression
  • Imitation was strongest when the adult and child were the same gender

Quote: "This research therefore suggests that aggressive behavior can be learned through observation, imitation and reinforcement and is strongest when the observer and role model are the same gender."

Highlight: The Bandura 1963 study provides strong evidence for the social learning theory observational imitation process, demonstrating how children can learn and reproduce aggressive behaviors through observation.

This experiment has become a cornerstone in understanding the influence of media and role models on children's behavior, contributing significantly to the scientific credibility of social learning theory research.

2
social learning theory
main assumptions
• behaviour is learned from experience
• people learn via a process of observation and imitation o

Page 4: [Page appears to be blank, no content to summarize]

2
social learning theory
main assumptions
• behaviour is learned from experience
• people learn via a process of observation and imitation o

Main Assumptions of Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory SLTSLT posits that behavior is learned from experience and through observing and imitating others. Unlike behaviorism, SLT introduces mediational processes in learning.

Key components of SLT include:

  1. Observational learning through role models
  2. Imitation based on vicarious reinforcement
  3. Four mediational processes: Attention: Noticing the behavior Retention: Remembering the behavior Reproduction: Ability to perform the behavior Motivation: Will to perform the behavior

Other important factors in imitation:

  • Identification: Choosing aspirational role models
  • Vicarious reinforcement: Observing consequences of others' actions

Definition: Vicarious reinforcement refers to the process of learning by observing the consequences of others' actions, which influences the likelihood of imitating that behavior.

Example: A child observing a classmate being praised for helping the teacher is more likely to exhibit similar helpful behavior in the future.

Highlight: The introduction of mediational processes in SLT distinguishes it from pure behaviorism, acknowledging the role of cognitive factors in learning.



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Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

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4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Psychology

1,093

8 Jul 2025

4 pages

Bandura's Social Learning Theory for Kids: Fun Examples and Bobo Doll Adventure

Social Learning Theory is a comprehensive framework explaining how individuals learn through observation and imitation, with key focus on Bandura's social learning theory (1977). The theory emphasizes mediational processes and the role of vicarious reinforcement in behavioral learning.

Key... Show more

2
social learning theory
main assumptions
• behaviour is learned from experience
• people learn via a process of observation and imitation o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Evaluation of Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory has demonstrated significant practical applications and scientific credibility, but it also faces some criticisms.

Strengths:

  1. Practical Applications: Influenced media regulations, such as the 9 PM watershed Shaped content presentation for children on television

Example: The 9 PM watershed in broadcasting aims to protect children from inappropriate content, based on SLT principles.

  1. Scientific Credibility: Employs scientific research methods, including experiments Focuses on quantitative data for hypothesis testing and replication

Highlight: The use of scientific methods in SLT research, such as Bandura's Bobo doll experiment, contributes to psychology's status as a science.

Weakness:

  1. Reductionist Approach: Simplifies human behavior to observation and imitation May not account for innate behaviors or individual differences

Definition: Reductionism in psychology refers to the attempt to explain complex human behaviors by breaking them down into simpler components.

Vocabulary: Innate behaviors are those that are not learned but are present from birth or develop naturally as part of an organism's genetic makeup.

2
social learning theory
main assumptions
• behaviour is learned from experience
• people learn via a process of observation and imitation o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment

The Bobo doll experiment, conducted by Albert Bandura in 1963, is a landmark study in social learning theory research.

Aim: To demonstrate how aggressive behavior is learned through observation, imitation, and reinforcement.

Procedure:

  1. 72 children 36male,36female36 male, 36 female, aged 3-5 years, participated
  2. Lab experiment with individual testing
  3. Children observed an adult interacting with a Bobo doll
  4. Experimental group: Adult behaved aggressively towards the doll
  5. Control group: Adult played nicely with the doll
  6. Children were then placed in a room with the Bobo doll and other toys

Findings:

  • Experimental group children exhibited both physical and verbal aggression towards the doll, mimicking the adult's behavior
  • Control group children showed no aggression
  • Imitation was strongest when the adult and child were the same gender

Quote: "This research therefore suggests that aggressive behavior can be learned through observation, imitation and reinforcement and is strongest when the observer and role model are the same gender."

Highlight: The Bandura 1963 study provides strong evidence for the social learning theory observational imitation process, demonstrating how children can learn and reproduce aggressive behaviors through observation.

This experiment has become a cornerstone in understanding the influence of media and role models on children's behavior, contributing significantly to the scientific credibility of social learning theory research.

2
social learning theory
main assumptions
• behaviour is learned from experience
• people learn via a process of observation and imitation o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Page 4: [Page appears to be blank, no content to summarize]

2
social learning theory
main assumptions
• behaviour is learned from experience
• people learn via a process of observation and imitation o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Main Assumptions of Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory SLTSLT posits that behavior is learned from experience and through observing and imitating others. Unlike behaviorism, SLT introduces mediational processes in learning.

Key components of SLT include:

  1. Observational learning through role models
  2. Imitation based on vicarious reinforcement
  3. Four mediational processes: Attention: Noticing the behavior Retention: Remembering the behavior Reproduction: Ability to perform the behavior Motivation: Will to perform the behavior

Other important factors in imitation:

  • Identification: Choosing aspirational role models
  • Vicarious reinforcement: Observing consequences of others' actions

Definition: Vicarious reinforcement refers to the process of learning by observing the consequences of others' actions, which influences the likelihood of imitating that behavior.

Example: A child observing a classmate being praised for helping the teacher is more likely to exhibit similar helpful behavior in the future.

Highlight: The introduction of mediational processes in SLT distinguishes it from pure behaviorism, acknowledging the role of cognitive factors in learning.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user