social learning theory

Question 1

social learning theory

Answer 1

a way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors

Question 2

imitation

Answer 2

copying behaviour of others

Question 3

identification

Answer 3

when an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model

Question 4

modelling

Answer 4

imitating the behaviour of a role model or demonstrating a specific behaviour that may be imitated by an observer

Question 5

vicarious reinforcement

Answer 5

reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour, imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded

Question 6

mediational processes

Answer 6

cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response
-bridge between learning theory and cognitive approach

Question 7

banduras theory

Answer 7

agreed with the behaviourists that much of our behaviour is learned from experience

• proposed a different way in which people learn- through observation and imitation of others
• directly through classical and operant conditioning but also indirectly

Question 8

what are the four mental or mediational processes in learning identified by bandura

Answer 8

• attention- the extent to which we notice certain behaviours
• retention- how well the behaviour is remembered
• motor reproduction- the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
• motivation- the will to perform the behaviour which is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished

Question 9

importance of cognitive factors in learning

Answer 9

SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes

Question 10

over reliance on evidence from lab studies

Answer 10

many of banduras ideas were developed through observation of young children’s behaviour in lab settings (demand characteristics)
-in relation to the bobo doll study, the main purpose of the doll is to strike it the children were simply behaving in a way that they thought was expected

Question 11

underestimated the influence of biological factors

Answer 11

bandura makes little reference to the impact of biological factors on social learning -boys were often more aggressive than girls- may be explained by hormonal factors such as different levels of testosterone

Question 12

explains cultural differences in behaviour

Answer 12

can account for how children learn from other individuals around them as well as through the media, can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies

Question 13

less deterministic than the behaviourist approach

Answer 13

bandura emphasised reciprocal determinism- we are not merely influenced by our external environment but we also exert an influence upon it through behaviours we choose to perform- suggests that there is some free will

Question 14

Bobo doll study (1961)- procedure

Answer 14

• lab experiment
• sample: Americans children, 36 boys 36 girls ages 3-6
• group 1: 12 girls 12 boys shown a model hitting the doll with a hammer and shouting at the doll
• group 2:12 girls 12 boys shown a model showing a non aggressive model
• group 3:12 girls 12 boys (control group) were not shown a model
• children were taken to a room with some attractive toys but were told not to play with the toys (aggression arousal)
• children were taken individually in a room containing a bobo doll, non aggressive toys like pencil and plastic farm animals and aggressive toys like a hammer and pistol

Question 15

Bobo doll study (1961)- results

Answer 15

• children who had observed aggressive model (group 1) were more aggressive than the children from the other two groups
• group 1 imitated specific aggressive acts that edge displayed by the model
• boys imitated more physically aggressive acts than girls
• no difference in verbal aggression

conclusion- supports SLT as it shows that children imitate behaviour of role model even if the behaviour is aggressive

Question 16

Bandura and Walters 1963

Answer 16

• bandura and walters (1963)- repeated the experiment but the three groups were exposed to an aggressive model and saw different consequences for the model
• group 1: model was praised
• group 2: model was punished
• group 3: no consequence for model

results- group 1 showed the most aggression, followed by 3 then 2

conclusion- shows that imitation is more likely to occur when the model is positively reinforced, demonstrating the importance of vicarious reinforcement