social learning theory (learning approach 1/2)

Question 1

what did bandura say behaviour was learned through

Answer 1

observation and imitation of others’ behaviour

Question 2

what are the stages of the social learning theory known as

Answer 2

mediational processes

Question 3

what are mediational processes

Answer 3

cognitive factors which influence learning/come between stimulus and response

Question 4

describe the 4 mediational processes

Answer 4

1. attention = individual needs to pay attention to behaviour/the consequences to imitate behaviour
2. retention = storing the observed behaviour in the LTM/remembering behaviour
3. reproduction = individual must be able to reproduce observed behaviour (skills/ability)
4. motivation = the will to perform the behaviour - often determined on if behaviour was rewarded or punished

Question 5

what’s vicarious reinforcement

Answer 5

individual observes a certain behaviour being rewarded and so they may imitate this behaviour in order to receive the reward

Question 6

how does identification affect the likelihood of imitation of behaviour

Answer 6

people are more likely to imitate people they identify with eg. sharing similar characteristics (like age, gender etc.)

Question 7

modelling

Answer 7

= process of imitating a role model

person they identify with is called a role model (identification)

Question 8

how does a person become a role model

Answer 8

• possess similar characteristics to observer
• and/or attractive
• have high status

Question 9

bandura’s research - study 1

Answer 9

= 1961

• recorded behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave aggressively towards a bobo doll
• the adult hit the bobo doll with a hammer & shouted abuse
• these children were later observed playing with various toys (including a bobo doll) & behaved much more aggressively than those who’d observed a non-aggressive adult

Question 10

bandura’s research - study 2

Answer 10

= bandura & walters 1963

• showed videos to children where an adult behaved aggressively towards a bobo doll
• group 1 = saw adult praised for behaviour
• group 2 = saw adult punished for aggression towards doll
• control group (group 3) = saw aggression without consequence
• first group displayed much more aggression towards bobo doll, followed by third group & then second

Question 11

AO3 (+) recognises importance of cognitive factors in learning
(-) SLT has been criticised for referencing too little the influence of biological factors on social learning

Answer 11

E:
- neither classical nor operant conditioning can offer adequate account of learning on their own
- humans & animals store info about behaviour of others & use this to make judgements about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions

T: suggests SLT provides more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising role of mediational processes

HOWEVER: even though bandura claimed natural biological differences influenced our learning potential, he thought learning was mainly determined by environment
- recent research suggests observational learning may be result of mirror neurones in brain, which allow us to empathise with/imitate other people
T: suggests biological influences on social learning are under-emphasised by SLT

Question 12

AO3 (-) SLT is based on evidence contrived from lab studies

Answer 12

E:
- many of banduras ideas developed via observation of young childrens behaviour in a lab
- these studies are often criticised for possible demand characteristics from participants
- eg. in the bobo doll experiment, its been suggested that because the main purpose of the doll was to strike it, the children were simply behaving in a way they thought was expected

T: research may tell us very little about how children actually learn everyday aggression in the real-world

Question 13

AO3 (+) SLT principles have real world application

Answer 13

E:
- the theory is able to explain cultural differences in behaviour
- SLT principles (eg. modelling, imitation & reinforcement) can account for how children learn from others around them, including the media
- this can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies
- this has proved useful in understanding range of behaviours (eg. how children understand their gender role)

T: increases value & usefulness of approach as can account for real-world behaviour