Social Learning Theory - Learning Approach 2

Question 1

Describe the 2 assumptions of SLT

Answer 1

1. Behaviour is learned from the environment and thus genetics do not influence behaviour.
2. Behaviour is learnt from observing others and the reinforcement/punishment they get. Once witnessing, individual will decide whether or not to imitate.

Question 2

Define identification

Answer 2

When an individual is influenced by another because they are in some way similar (identify with them)
eg. age, gender, race

Question 3

Define imitation

Answer 3

Copying a models’ behaviour

Question 4

Define modelling

Answer 4

Observing the behaviour of a role model. These models provide examples of behaviour which may be imitated at a later stage.

Question 5

Define vicarious reinforcement

Answer 5

The reinforcement an observer sees the model receiving.
Rewarded behaviour is more likely to be imitated than punished behaviour.

Question 6

Name the 4 components of mediating processes

Answer 6

1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Motor reproduction
4. Motivation

Question 7

Explain the role of attention in terms of mediating processes

Answer 7

For a behaviour to be imitated, we have to notice it.
Attention is pivotal to whether a behaviour will be imitated

Question 8

Explain the role of retention in terms of mediating processes

Answer 8

Memory of a behaviour is formed for it to be imitated later by an observer.

Question 9

Explain the role of motor reproduction in terms of mediating processes

Answer 9

Our physical ability to imitate the behaviour influences our decision to try imitate the behaviour or not.

Question 10

Explain the role of motivation in terms of mediating processes

Answer 10

Our desire to perform the behaviour. Rewards/punishments will be considered

Question 11

Outline Bandura’s Bobo Doll research

Answer 11

Aim:
1. To examine if children will imitate an aggressive role model.
2. Discover the extent of how gender of model influences childs’ motivation to imitate.
Method:
- 72 participants, half girls half boys, mean age just above 4
- Male and female adult models
- Half the groups observed an aggressive model and the other half observed a non aggressive model
- Groups were subdivided by gender, meaning there were 8 conditions
- Rooms included a bobo doll, hammer and other toys
- Aggressive model: abused bobo doll with hammer and shouted
- Non aggressive model: played with other toys
- Children were then made to experience aggression arousal where they were taken to a different room with no model.
Results:
- Children who observed aggressive role models acted so
- Boys acted more aggressively than girls
- Greater level of imitation of same sex role models

Question 12

What is the conclusion of Bandura’s research

Answer 12

Children learn social behaviour by observing behaviour of others. This is most likely to happen when the model is the same gender as the observer.

Question 13

Evaluate Bandura’s Bobo Doll research

Answer 13

+ Uses experimental method
- Low ecological validity
- Children as participants
- Unethical

Question 14

Evaluate the Social Learning Theory

Answer 14

+ Supported by evidence
+ Acknowledges the role of cognitions in behaviour
+ Enables us to understand cultural differences in behaviour
- Favours only the nurture side of the nature vs nurture debate