Social learning theory

Question 1

Social learning theory

Answer 1

Learning through observing others and imitating behaviours that are rewarded.

Question 2

Key study, Bandura et al (1961)

Answer 2

• Half of adult models aggressive half not

- Children sent out to play after observations mostly imitated the adults behaviour.

Question 3

Modelling

Answer 3

a form of learning where individuals learn a particular behaviour by observing another individual and performing their behaviour.
Live model= A parent or teacher
Symbolic model= TV character.

Question 4

Imitation

Answer 4

The action of using someone as a model and copying their behaviour

Question 5

The stages of social learning (ARRM)

Answer 5

A-attention
R-reproduction
R-retention
M-motivation

Question 6

Vicarious reinforcement (Bandura and Walters)

Answer 6

Learning through observing others being reinforced for their behaviour

Question 7

Identification

Answer 7

The extent to which someone relates to their model (is similar to their model)
The more they relate, the more likey they are to imitate their behaviour.

Question 8

Mediational process

Answer 8

the internal mental processes that exist between an environmental stimuli and a response to the stimuli.

Question 9

Strength 1 (useful applications)

Answer 9

• Useful to understanding criminal behaviour
• Akers (1998)= probability of someone committing a crime increases if they are exposed to models who commit crime.
• Ulrich (2003)= supports this and says the strongest cause of teens violence is through observing delinquent peer groups, who acts as models getting rewarded.

Question 10

Strength 2 (Research support for identification)

Answer 10

• Greater identification allows individual to visualise themselves in place of model.
• Fox and Bailenson (2009)= People who observed virtual models (that looked similar to them) exercising, did more exercise in the day than those who observed the models merely loituring.

Question 11

Weakness 1 (A problem of casualty)

Answer 11

• Deviant attitudes may be the cause of delinquency not social learning.
• Siegal (2006)- suggest those with theses attitudes seek out others with theses attitudes leading to increases in reckless behaviour.

Question 12

Weakness 2 (A problem of complexity)

Answer 12

• disregard for other influences on behaviour.
• e.g gender role behaviour.
• e.g genetic predispositions.
• difficult to show one thing is the main influence.