There are three different types of social learning, they include:

classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning. While

acknowledging the importance of direct forms of learning, social
learning theory extended behaviouristic accounts of learning to allow
for indirect forms of learning (vicarious learning) and indirect forms of
reinforcement (vicarious reinforcement).

The social learning theory explains how learning can occur via
observation, imitation and modeling. Firstly, Observational learning is
where people watch what others do and copy their actions, learning
new behaviors. Observational learning includes: 1. The behavior is
modeled by a role model (this person could be a parent peer or
celebrity) who will always have some significance in the eyes of the
observer. 2. The observer identifies with the role model 3. The behavior
is observed and noticed 4. The behavior is learned and imitated.
Bandura investigated this and showed young children a film on adults
behaving aggressively towards an inflatable doll. These dolls are based
on the image of Bozo the clown and always bounce back when
knocked down. The model rewarded and the control group showed
equal level of aggression whereas the model punished condition
showed less aggressiveness as in this condition the aggressor was
punished for his actions. Therefore, due to the fact that they saw the
aggressor being punished and scolded for what he did. The kids chose
not to do it as they knew it was wrong and did not want to get
punished. This investigation was very effective as cause and effect
could be determined which meant that the researcher knew what the
effects of things that were caused were. However, it could be sen as
being unethical as kids in the model rewarded condition might start to
behave aggressively since they saw the aggressor being rewarded for
his aggressive actions.

Furthermore, the social learning theory is used to investigate it if

younger children can learn/acquire behaviour through observational
learning. The Experiment used 14-month old infants and included 2
conditions: Hands-Free Condition: Where the infants observed an adult
place her hands on a table. Following this, she used a strange action to
light up/illuminate a light box by bending over and pressing the box
with her forehead. In addition, hands-Occupied Condition: Where the
infants observed the adult perform the same action to illuminate the
box. However, the model was using her hands to hold a blanket around
her shoulders. This therefore shows the power of role models as the
participants saw the adult as a role model and just imitated what they
did. Furthermore, SLT helps explain why behaviour may be passed
down in a family, within a culture, or even within the whole human
race. However, even though behaviour may be acquired, it is not
always demonstrated, which is not stated explicitly in the SLT.

On the whole, this therefore shows the effectiveness of observational

learning and learning via observation. Especially via the use of role
models as what they do influence the participants actions. It also
explains why children acquire some behaviour without trial-and-error.