Learning🍏 • Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Social Learning Theory is the most ________ out of all three learning theories

Answer 1

Social Learning Theory is the most modern out of all three learning theories

Question 2

If classical conditioning is learning through pairing
And operant conditioning is learning thriugh consequence
Then social learning theory is learning through _____________

Answer 2

If classical conditioning is learning through pairing
And operant conditioning is learning thriugh consequence
Then social learning theory is learning through immitation/ observation

Question 3

Who proposed Social Learning theory?

Answer 3

Bandura

Question 4

In order to observe and learn through social learning theory, what first must the individual do?

Answer 4

Identify with a role model that they would observe

Question 5

What are common characteristics of role modes?

Answer 5

• Being the same gender as observer
• Someone the observer looks up to
• Perhaps an older person
• Perhaps a relative
• Perhaps an online star

Question 6

What are the 3 base-line conditions for learning through observation?

Answer 6

1. The behaviour must be modelled, which means it must be carried out by a role model e.g. parent, friend or celebrity
2. The observer must identify with the role model e.g. similar in appearace, gender, age, or just beign a role model
3. Behaviour must be observed

Question 7

What are the four stages of Social Learning Theory?

Answer 7

• Attention
• Retention
• Reproduction
• Motivation

Question 8

Explain the four stages of Social Learning Theory

Answer 8

• Attention - You must be attending to the behaviour
• Retention - You must retain it in your memory/ remember it
• Reproduction - You must be capable of carrying out the behaviour
• Motivation - You must have a reason to carry out the behaviour e.g. reward, importance of role model or skill

Question 9

What is self-efficacy?

Answer 9

The belief in yourself to be capable of replicating a behaviour or skill

Question 10

What is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 10

Learning through others
* E.G. If you saw someone (attending) do something, but they got really told off for it, you might not want to reproduce it; therefore you learnt that the behaviour wasnt very well recieved through other people’s actions

Question 11

If ____________ outweighs any costs, the behaviour will be ____________

Answer 11

If motivation outweighs any costs, the behaviour will be reproduced

Question 12

Give two strengths to Social Learning Theory

Answer 12

• Research into SLT has high reliability as Bandura’s research was predominantly carried out in laboratories where he had high control over the IV and DV. Suggests if were to be repeated, same results would be found therfore replicability which = reliability
• Bandura 1963 gives empirical support; he found that viewing aggression in cartoon characters produces as much aggression as viewing live adult models - suggests wider academic creditability for the idea that the entertainment industry has an influential role in the development of children

Question 13

Give two weaknesses to Social Learning Theory

Answer 13

• Reductionist; Bandura gives little reference to the impact biological factors can have on social learning. A consistent finding through his experiments was that boys = more aggressive than girls. This can be explained through bio factors such as difference in testosterone levels in boys vs girls - studies such as Wagner et al. highlighting direct link between aggressive behaviour and the hormone. SLT = ignoring this, its reducitonist
• Theory is based on research from laboratory environments, meaning it lacks ecological validity. Research study build upon was carried out in artificial environments, inferring the behaviour produced may also have been artificial e.g. demand characteristics - implies the research cannot be applied to real life situations and environments