Which of the following is a weakness of the social learning theory?

• A. It explains all behaviour
• B. It overlooks biological factors
• C. It ignores lab research
• D. It provides no practical applications

Answer: (B)

Biology plays a significant role in shaping behavior, and a common criticism of social learning theory is that it underemphasizes biological factors. The theory centers on learning through observing others, imitation, and cognitive processing within social contexts, but it tends to treat behavior as primarily shaped by environment and modeling. In reality, genetics, hormones, brain structures, and neurochemistry influence how easily someone imitates others, which behaviors are learned, and how strongly those behaviors are expressed. For instance, hormonal influences can affect aggression or fear responses, making some modeled behaviors more likely for some individuals than others. Physical and physiological limits can also constrain what can be learned or performed. Because these biological influences aren’t fully integrated into the theory, this omission is a recognized weakness.