learning - social learning theory

Question 1

social learning theory - bandura

Answer 1

-bandura believe people actively think about the relationship between behaviour and consequences
-theorised that learning is largely due to modelling, imitation, and other social interactions
-behaviour is learned from the environment through the process of observational learning by watching others (models) and the reinforcement they receive

Question 2

observational learning progress - attention

Answer 2

-individuals pay attention to the modelled behaviour
-we are more likely to pay attention to models that are similar to us, or that we identify with either because they are similar, or we aspire to be like them

Question 3

observational learning progress - retention

Answer 3

-individuals make a mental representation of the behaviour and retains it

Question 4

observational learning progress - reproduction

Answer 4

-mental representation is turned into an action that the individual is capable of producing

Question 5

observational learning progress - motivation

Answer 5

-individual needs to be motivated to reproduce the behaviour
-typically influenced by reinforcement (see next), and the status of the model as high-status individuals’ behaviours are perceived as being worth imitating

Question 6

observational learning progress - reinforcement

Answer 6

-provides the learner with information about the likely consequences of certain behaviour under certain conditions, which impacts their motivation

Question 7

modelling

Answer 7

-process in which one or more individuals or other entities serve as examples (models) that someone will emulate
-live models: observing an actual individual perform a behaviour
-verbal instructional model: listening to detailed descriptions of behaviour and then acting based on that description
-symbolic model: learning through media, such as books, movies, television, or online media, where behaviours are demonstrated

Question 8

vicarious reinforcement

Answer 8

-process whereby a person becomes more likely to engage in a particular behaviour (response) by observing another individual being reinforced for that behaviour

Question 9

social learning theory strengths

Answer 9

-can explain how behaviours can be learned in the absence of direct reinforcement
-explains how social and cultural norms, values, and behaviours are learned through observational learning
-concepts are supported by empirical evidence fromBandura, Ross & Ross (1961) and other studies

Question 10

social learning theory limitations

Answer 10

-doesn’t fully explain the cognitive processes involved in learning or how they interact with environmental and individual factors
-overemphasises the role of observational learning while undervaluing other forms of learning, such as operant conditioning
-doesn’t address biological factors, such as genetic predispositions, which can also impact behaviour

Question 11

bandura, ross and ross (1961) bobo doll - aim

Answer 11

-to find out if aggressive behaviours could be acquired by observation and imitation

Question 12

bandura, ross and ross (1961) bobo doll - method

Answer 12

-sample: 36 boys, and 36 girls between the ages of 3 & 6.
-split the sample into 3 groups
-24 children were shown a model behaving aggressively towards a ‘Bobo’ doll e.g. hitting it with toys such as a hammer
-24 children were shown a model behaving non-aggressively towards a ‘Bobo’ doll, e.g. ignoring Bobo, and playing with toys peacefully
-24 children were shown no model
-children were then subjected to a mild arousal task; placed in a room with toys, but told that other children had been given better toys
-children were then placed in a room with aggressive toys (ie. A hammer), non-aggressive toys (ie. A tea set) and a Bobo doll, and were observed for 20 minutes

Question 13

bandura, ross and ross (1961) bobo doll - key findings

Answer 13

-children who observed the aggressive model made far more imitative aggressive responses than those who were in the non-aggressive or control groups.
-girls in the aggressive model condition also showed more physical aggressive responses if the model was male, but more verbal aggressive responses if the model was female
-boys were more likely to imitate same-sex models than girls.
-boys imitated more physically aggressive acts than girls

Question 14

bandura, ross and ross (1961) bobo doll - strengths

Answer 14

-provides experimental evidence thatchildren can learn social behaviour through observational learning and highlights the importance of role models
-highlights the potential impact of exposure to violence on children’s behaviour
-standardised procedures and instructions were used, and has been replicated with consistent results

Question 15

bandura, ross and ross (1961) bobo doll - limitations

Answer 15

-low external validity due to the lab situation which is not reflective of the real world
-potential demand characteristics as Bobo Dolls are designed to hit
-potential experimenter effects as the male model was one of the observers
-issues with ethical considerations as protection from harm