SCT (Social Cultural Theory)

Question 1

Define the SCT

Answer 1

Social cognitive learning theory suggests that behaviour is learned from the environment through the processes of modelling and reinforcement.
- can simply just learn by watching.

Modelling involves learning through the observation of other people, which may lead to imitation determined by whether the action is reinforced or punished.
Bandura argues that through cognition, we receive vicarious reinforcement.

Certain conditions that are necessary for social learning to take place:
* Attention: In order to learn, observers must attend to the modelled behaviour.
* Retention: In order to reproduce an observed behaviour, observers must be able to remember features of the behaviour.
* Motivation: In order to reproduce an observed behaviour, observers must want to reproduce it and expect a certain outcome from the behaviour.
* Potential: In order to reproduce an observed behaviour, observers must physically and/or mentally be able to carry out the behaviour.

Several factors that affect the overall potential for social learning
1. The model stands out in contrast to other models
2. The model’s behaviour must be consistent.
3. The model is liked and respected by the observer
4. The observer perceives a similarity between him/herself and the model (member of in-group)
5. The model’s behaviour is reinforced.

Question 2

Aim of Bandura?

Answer 2

To determine whether children would learn aggressive behaviour by imitating an adult model

Question 3

Method of Bandura?

Answer 3

• Lab experiment with 72 children
  
  • 3 IV tested: aggressive/non-aggressive role model, sex of the role model, sex of the child
  • DV: The amount of imitation of behaviour & aggression shown by the child measured by 2 observers scoring the subjects behaviour at 5 seconds intervals
  • The children were first evaluated for levels of aggression
  • Then put into matched pairs to allocate the children to make sure different levels of aggression were equally spread out
  • Then they wither observed a male or female act aggressively or passively or had no model
  • Now children are invited to play with the toys individually
  • Once they entered, they were aroused because they were told they were not allowed to play with it, but they still did

Question 4

Findings of Bandura?

Answer 4

• All children showed some level of aggression
  
  • The ones who observed violence were more aggressive and the passive group showed the least
  • Boys were more violent and imitated both genders but commented saying women don’t behave that way
  • Girls imitated women models fully but only the verbal aggression for men

Question 5

Conclusion of Bandura?

Answer 5

• Children imitated the aggressive behaviors seen and supported the SCT
  
  • Not only explained the SCT where we learn through observations but also that we imitate more easily and completely if we identified with the model more.