Learning approaches: Social Learning Theory Flashcards
(10 cards)
What are four evaluation points?
1) Scientific methods
2) Practical applications
3) Soft determinism
4) Alternative biological explanation
AO3: Scientific methods
A strength of the social learning theory is that it uses scientific methods so it uses scientific enquiry to investigate human behaviour. It uses objective and empirical techniques such as Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment. This had high control over extraneous variables by having the role model model the same types of aggression to each child. Therefore this increases the internal validity of the social learning theory as it increases Pyschology’s Scientific Status.
AO3: Practical applications
A strength of the social learning theory to explaining human behaviour is that it has practical applications. The principles of the theory that behaviour is due to observing and imitating a model has been used by the government to control how the media portrays certain behaviours e.g. restricted advertisement of alcohol, cigarette and gambling to reduce negative behaviours. Therefore the social learning theory is an important part of applied psychology as it helps to promote positive behaviours in real life.
AO3: Soft determinism
A strength of the social learning theory is that it has soft determinism as individuals have free will in learning compared to deterministic theories such as behaviourism which states individuals have no choice in learning. All human behaviour is due to external factors through observing and imitating a model however individuals can choose whether to imitate a behaviour and who they choose their model to be. Therefore the social learning theory can be seen as a more superior explanation compared to hard deterministic theories.
AO3: Alternative biological explanation
An alternative explanation of social learning theory in explaining human behaviour is the biological approach. This states that behaviour is due to internal influences such as genes and hormones rather than learning through observation. The social learning theory underestimates the role of hormones in Bandura’s Bobo Doll research as one consistent finding was that boys were more aggressive regardless of the situation. The difference could be due to hormones (different levels of testosterone in girls and boys). Rather than aggression shown by observing and imitating the model. Therefore this shows that Social learning theory is not the only explanation of human behaviour.
Assumption
Behaviour is learnt by observing and imitating a model
AO1: Observational learning
Imitation is the term used to describe when an individual observes a behaviour and then copies it. Modelling is the process when the individuals imitates the role models behaviour. The role model shows the observer a specific behaviour to be imitated. Identification is when the observe associates them with the model due to similarity or status or wanting be like them. Vicarious reinforcement is when observed see a model being rewarded for a behaviour. so it increases the likelihood of them imitating the behaviour to receive the same reward.
What are the two features?
1) Observational learning
2) The four meditational processes
AO1: The four meditational processes
The four meditational processes is an association between stimulus (observing) and response (imitating). Bandura states that it involves four cognitive processes.
The first process is attention which is where individuals must attend to the behaviour shown by the model e.g. children must observe what a model is saying and doing, their attention must be captured. The second process is retention which is when the individual must store the memory of the behaviour into the long term memory for retrieval. This is more likely to occur when the behaviour is easy to store, more simple and observed repeatedly (daily). Another process is reproduction which is where individuals must have the skills and capabilities to be confident they can reproduce the models behaviour. Again this is easier to if it is more simple and easy to replicate. The final process is motivation and reinforcements which is where individuals observed a model being rewarded fora a behaviour so they are more likely to imitate the behaviour due to similarity or status.
AO1: Bandura’s study
The aim of Bandura’s study is to see whether aggressive behaviour can be learnt through observation. The sample is 36 boys and 36 girls aged 3-5. It is a controlled observation and the children were split into two conditions. In the non-aggressive condition the child absorbed the model assemble toys in a quiet manner ignoring the bobo doll. In the aggressive model the children observe the model act aggressively towards the bobo doll. They found that there was a significantly higher (70%) score in verbal and physical aggression than the non-aggressive condition. They found that boys were more likely to imitate the behaviour than girls especially if the model was male. This concludes that observations leads to learning through imitation. We are more likely to imitate if the model is an aggressive male as aggression is seen as a more male approbate behaviour.
