Social Learning Therory

Question 1

Main assumptions

Answer 1

Behaviour is learnt indirectly from observing and imitating others in our environment

Question 2

Banduras research procedure

Answer 2

Bobo doll research into social learning

A-Children watching adults being aggressive towards dolls also become aggressive
B-Children watching adults be calm around the dolls don’t have are also calm around the dolls

Question 3

What are the 2 important factors which dictate whether we repeat behaviour

Answer 3

Identification
Vicarious reinforcement

Question 4

Identification

Answer 4

We identify with role models (modelling) we often when they are similar to us and/or hold a higher status than us

Could be a family member or a celebrity

Question 5

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 5

We are more likely to imitate behaviour if we observe our role model being positively reinforced for their behavior

This is vicarious because we are being indirectly reinforced.

Question 6

What are the cognitive elements that caused us to imitate behaviour

Answer 6

The 4 meditational processes

Question 7

Research support identification

Answer 7

Fox and Bailenson
-Ppt who viewed computer generated people exercising engaged in more exercise themselves in the next 24 hours compared to those that just viewed a loitering generation

Question 8

Overemphasises social learning, ignores biological factors

Answer 8

-It underestimates the biological influence
-Bobo doll found the boys to be more aggressive than the girls even with the same conditions
-This could be explained using hormonal differences like high testosterone
-May be the result of mirror neurons in the brain which allows us to empathise and imitate others

Question 9

What are the 4 mediational processes

Answer 9

-Attention=The extent to which we notice certain behaviors
-Retention=How well the behavior is remembered
-Motor production=The ability to physically perform the behavior
-Motivation=The will to perform the behavior (vicarious reinforcement)

Question 10

Methodological issues

Answer 10

-Lab studies with children
-High demand characteristics
-Only tells us a bit on how children learn aggressive behaviors

Question 11

Explains cultural differences in behavior

Answer 11

-Explains how cultural behaviors are the result of their social environments, traditions and media
-Useful in understanding a range of behaviors like children’s understandings of gender roles