SLT Evaluation

Question 1

What is Reductionism?

Answer 1

The belief that human behaviours is best understood by studying smaller constituent parts

Question 2

What is Holism?

Answer 2

An argument which says it only makes sense to study an indivisible system

Question 3

What is Determinism?

Answer 3

The view that an individual’s behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal/external forces, rather than an individual’s will to do something

Question 4

What is a Limitation of SLT? (too much lab)

Answer 4

1) There’s an over-reliance on lab studies to provide support for approach
2) In Bandura’s study children observed in controlled environment so demand characteristics
3) Children may’ve been doing what they believe was expected
4) Tells us little about how children learn aggression in real life, less applicability

Question 5

What is another Limitation of SLT? (Biological Factors)

Answer 5

1) Underestimates the influence of biological factors on learning
2) Consistent finding in Bandura study was boys more aggressive than girls regardless of specifics
3) We play more of an active role in our learning that behaviourism suggests

Question 6

What is a Strength of SLT? (Africa)

Answer 6

1) It can explain different cultures in behaviour
2) Explains gender roles and how it differs in countries like Africa, where males look after children and run home
3) SLT can account for how others learns from other people around them
4) Explains range of behaviours

Question 7

What is another Strength of SLT?

Answer 7

1) SLT is less deterministic than Behaviourism
2) Skinner rejected free will and said all behaviour is controlled by external forces. But Bandura said we can store, and reproduce behaviour
3) We play an active role in our learning

Question 8

What is the main difference between SLT and Behaviourism?

Answer 8

1) SLT - plays active role in learning
2) Behaviourism - Learner simply responds passively to environment