LEARNING THEORIES social learning theory

Question 1

what are the 4 main words associated with SLT

Answer 1

Attention, Retention, Reproduction, Motivation

Question 2

explain the step of attention and give an example

Answer 2

• attention to a role model
• e.g. A girl paying attention to her dad while he demonstrates how to hold a fork

Question 3

explain the step of retention and give an example

Answer 3

• retention of the observed behaviour
• e.g. retaining the information until a girl is given the opportunity to have a go with the fork herself

Question 4

explain the step of reproduction and give an example

Answer 4

• reproducing the target behaviour
• e.g. A girl picks up food with the fork after retaining the information

Question 5

explain the step of motivation and use an example

Answer 5

• having motivation to imitate the behaviour
• a dad saying ‘well done’ every time she uses a fork properly - direct reinforcement

Question 6

positives of the theory

Answer 6

supporting evidence - Bandura 1961
children more likely to imitate role model acting aggressively when same sex - observation and imitation of role models
useful application - monitoring and censorship of social media
holistic - social, cognitive factors and environmental influences - less reductionist than other theories

Question 7

negatives of the theory

Answer 7

refuting evidence - Pavlov - learning is due to classical conditioning
nature/nurture - learning through environment - behaviours may be innate
lacks credibility - refers to internal mental processes - cannot be directly observed/ manipulated - less scientific than operant and classical conditioning