Social learning theory

Question 1

Vicarious reinforcemnt

Answer 1

Vicarious reinforcement occurs when learners observe role models receiving either positive or negative reinforcement.

Question 2

Mediational processes

Answer 2

Determines whetehr a new behaviour is learnt
attention
motivation
motor reproduction
retention

Question 3

Bandura bobo doll experiment

Answer 3

• 72 children aged 3-6
• 1) AGRESSIVE MODEL- children played ina room whilst an adult aggressively hit the bobo doll n
  2) NON AGG- children played in a room whilst an adult quietly played
  3) CONTROL - child did not see a model
• Children were deliberately frustrated then places in a room with the bobo doll

RESULTS - children who saw aggressive behaviour produced aggressive behaviour

Question 4

Strengths

Answer 4

Research support
- Rushton and Campbell found that same sex modelling increases the likelihood of female observers who agreed to donate blood

Real life application -

Question 5

Limitations

Answer 5

Methodological issues
- Demand characteristics as the children may have knew they were being observed

Issue of causality
- not clear if behaviour is learnt from models or if people seek out models who exhibit behaviour they already favour
Seigel and McCormick - argue that young people who hold deviant values are more likely to associate with whose who are the same