Strengths

Social learning theory takes into account the cognitive processes that are involved in learning.
Social learning theorists use both experimental and non-experimental methods of research, for example Bandura's use of the experimental and observational method when investigating gender differences in aggression.
Social learning theory has been applied to many areas of psychology and had provided effective explanations of behaviour, for example acquisition of gender roles.

Weaknesses

Social learning theory does not fully explain individual differences, that is to say what may be perceived to be reinforcement for one person, may not be for another.
Social learning theory does not account for all behaviour. For example, if we learn by observing others, how is it that a person becomes a criminal when she or he has not associated with criminal and/or observed criminal behaviour?
The Bobo doll experiment on which the theory is based, is highly artificial and therefore lacks ecological validity.

	Created by Amy Johnson over 4 years ago

Assumptions and evalutation of each approach in psychology