4- social learning theory

Question 1

what does the social leaning theory state

Answer 1

• learning takes place in a social context

- behaviour is not only acquired through direct conditioning but also indirectly by observing the behaviour of others

Question 2

what are the 5 ways to learn behaviour from others

Answer 2

• modelling
• imitation
• identification
• vicarious reinforcement
• meditational processes

Question 3

explain modelling

Answer 3

• models carry out the behaviour to be learnt
• live model = parent/teacher/peer
• symbolic model = media influencers

Question 4

explain imitation

Answer 4

• a lot of behaviour acquired by imitating behaviour modelled by parents/role models
• when model is provided, entire behaviour patterns can rapidly be acquired

Question 5

explain identification

Answer 5

• more likely to imitate those we admire or who is similar to us
• observers must feel that if they performed the same behaviour then they would get the sae consequence as the model

Question 6

explain vicarious reinforcement

Answer 6

• learn by observing behaviour of others and the reward/punishment they get
• people don’t directly need to experience consequences to learn from them
• may not perform behaviour if they know that they are likely to be punished for it

Question 7

explain meditational processes

Answer 7

• cognitive factors occur between the stimulus(observing) and the response (imitation)
  1. must pay attention to the model (attend to their actions)
  2. must be capable of retention (remember modelled behaviour)
  3. must be motivated to imitate behaviour (want same reward)
  4. must consider themselves physically/psychologically capable of reproducing the behaviour

Question 8

explain Bandura’s social theory experiment

Answer 8

• 36 male/36 female children aged 37-69 months
• children watched model act aggressively or non aggressively towards a bobo doll
• some saw same-sex model
• in experimental conditions model displayed aggressive acts e.h. striking doll and shouting ‘pow’
• children made frustrated after this by being shown toys they couldn’t play with
• taken to room alone with toys and a bobo doll then watched for 20 mins

Question 9

explain the results from Bandura’s social experiment

Answer 9

• children who observed aggressive model reproduced same behaviour whereas children who saw non aggressive model showed no aggression
• 33% who heard verbal expression repeated it and actions
• 0% in non aggressive group displayed verbal aggression
• boys were more aggressive
• imitation was greater when model was same-sex (identification)

Question 10

positive evaluation of social learning theory (4)

Answer 10

+ criminals engage in more criminal behaviour when exposed to criminal model they identify with and if model receives positive outcome, observer is more likely to commit the crime too
+ more effective when model is similar to the observer, evidence to suggest when observer played computer games that made a similar model, they were more likely to engage in same behaviours as the model
+ highest suicide rates in NYC was days after suicide of Marilyn Monroe (people considering imitated her)
+ recognises importance of behavioural and cognitive factors when examining how people learn new behaviours

Question 11

negative evaluation of social learning theory (2)

Answer 11

• doesn’t take cause and effect into account, young people who have deviant attitudes seek peers with similar attitudes rather than becoming deviant because of them
• ignores role of biology as in Bandura’s experiment boys were more aggressive and this could be due to testosterone