2) Approaches - Social Learning Theory

Question 1

What is the basic assumption for SLT?

Answer 1

Proposes that behaviour is learnt through experience but through observation and imitation

Question 2

What is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 2

Observing a behaviour but then observing the consequences of that behaviour

Question 3

What are mediational processes?

Answer 3

• Mental processes which mediate in the learning process

- They determine whether a new response is acquired.

Question 4

What are the four mediational processe?

Answer 4

Attention - Noticing a behaviour
Retention - Remembering the behaviour
Reproduction - The ability to perform that behaviour
Motivation - The will to perform that behaviour, determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished

Question 5

Can behaviours be performed at a later time?

Answer 5

Yes if the observed behaviour is stored

Question 6

What is identification?

Answer 6

• People are likely to imitate the behavior of people who they identify with.
• They are called role models

Question 6

What are the characteristics of a role model?

Answer 6

• Usually have similar characteristics to the individual, are attractive or have a high status.
• Do not have to be physically present.

Question 7

What did Bandura’s research involve?

Answer 7

• Children watched an adult behave aggressively to a Bobo doll.
• This involved hitting and shouting abuse.
• They were observed later playing with other toys including the Bobo doll.
• They behaved much more aggressively to toys than those who did not observe this behaviour.

Question 8

Give a strength for SLT involving cognitive factors

Answer 8

P - SLT shows the importance of cognitive factors.
E - Animals store information about the behaviour of others and use it to make judgments about when it is appropriate to use.
E - Bandura said that learning would be extremely labourous if it involved soley on the effects of our own actions.
L - SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising mediational processes.

Question 9

Give a limitation of SLT

Answer 9

Lab Studies
P - There is an over reliance on lab studies.
E - Many of Bandura’s ideas were developed in a lab setting where participants may respond to demand characteristics.
E - Here, they may have hit the Bobo doll because they though that they were expected to hit it as that was it’s main purpose.
L - Therefore the study lacks external validity as data may not be able to be generalised to the wider world.