the social learning theory

Question 1

assumptions?

Answer 1

interested in studying behaviour that can be observed
basic behaviour is the same in all species

Question 2

vicarious reinforcement

Answer 2

reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through someone else being reinforced
therefore, learner also observes consequences of reinforced behaviour

Question 3

the role of mediational processes
(cognitive factors that influence learning)

Answer 3

attention - the extent to which we notice certain behaviours
retention - how well the behaviour is remembered
reproduction - the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
motivation - the will to perform the behaviour

Question 4

identification

Answer 4

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

modelling - imitating the behaviour of a role model

Question 5

research: Bandura’s Study A

recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll

Answer 5

• the adult hit the Bobo doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it
• when the children were later observed playing with toys, they also behaved aggressively compared to children who saw a non-aggressive adult

Question 6

research: Bandura’s Study B

recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll, except this time consequences were shown

Answer 6

• the adult hit the Bobo doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it
• 1 group saw the adult praised, 2nd group saw the adult punished and 3rd group saw no consequences
• when given their own Bobo doll to play with, the 1st group showed much more aggression followed by the 3rd, then the 2nd

Question 7

evaluation
limitation - contrived lab studies

Answer 7

• developed through studies of young children in a lab
• increased risk of demand characteristics, children could have simply been acting in a way that was expected of them
• research may tell us little about how children learn aggression

Question 8

evaluation
strength - real-life application

Answer 8

• has the advantage of being able to explain cultural differences in behaviour
• SLT principles can account for how children learn from others and this can reflect in other cultures

Question 9

evaluation
strength - cognitive factors

Answer 9

• neither forms of conditioning provide an adequate account of learning
• humans and animals store info about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgments
• suggests that SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes