Learning: Key concept 3

Question 1

Imitation

Answer 1

Occurs when a learner copies the behaviour they observed being carried out by a model. It is more likely to occur when the observer identifies with the model.

Question 2

Modelling

Answer 2

Either an observer imitates the behaviour of a model, or a model demonstrates a behaviour that may be imitated by an observer.

Question 3

Observation

Answer 3

Actively attending to and watching (or listening to) the behaviour of others.

Question 4

Social learning

Answer 4

A form of learning in which behaviours are acquired through observation, modelling, imitation and vicarious reinforcement.

Question 5

Vicarious learning

Answer 5

Occurs when a learner observes a model’s behaviour being reinforced.

Question 6

Practical applications evaluation

Answer 6

Strength is that social learning theory (SLT) can help us understand how aggressive behaviour in children can be reduced. For example, aggression within a family can affect the way in which a child acts. Children will then learn to imitate aggressive models, especially when they see them rewarded. Therefore, SLT is beneficial because it offers practical ways of both reducing undesirable behaviours and increasing desirable ones.

Question 7

Research support evaluation

Answer 7

Strength is support for SLT from research into a variety of behaviours. For example, Bandura’s research showed that children will imitate an aggressive adult model, and this is more likely when they observe the model’s behaviour being reinforced. This supports the SLT view that behaviours are learned through observation and imitation, and that vicarious reinforcement plays a key role in imitation.

Question 8

Alternative explanation evaluation

Answer 8

Weakness is that social learning has relatively little influence on many behaviours. For example, research shows that the occurrence of phobia is greater in identical twins than in non identical twins. Due to the fact that identical twins are more closely genetically related than non identical twins, this shows that genes play a greater role than social learning in many behaviours, such as phobias and depression. This suggests that SLT is not a complete explanation of learning, and a full account can only be produced by considering other factors.