Social learning theory

Question 1

What are the basic assumptions of the social learning theory approach?

Answer 1

The basic assumptions of the social learning theory approach are that:

1. Behaviour is learned from the environment, so therefore it does not regard genetics as an influence on behaviour
2. Behaviour is learned from observing others and the reinforcement or punishment they receive

Question 2

Why is social learning theory (SLT) argued not strictly to be a behaviourist approach?

Answer 2

Social learning theory (SLT) is argued not strictly to be a behaviourist approach, because it does not look solely at behaviour - it also considers cognitive processes

Question 3

Why is social learning theory (SLT) different to conditioning?

Answer 3

Social learning theory (SLT) is different to conditioning, because it is not just about learning - it involves cognitive processes, such as:

1. Watching
2. Paying attention
3. Remembering
4. The choice of role models

Question 4

Albert Bandura is a learning theorist, but not strictly a behaviourist, because his theory also considers the thought processes that underlie our behaviour.
Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that what?

Answer 4

Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that:
1. Reward
2. Punishment
will prompt or stop a behaviour automatically

Question 5

Albert Bandura is a learning theorist, but not strictly a behaviourist, because his theory also considers the thought processes that underlie our behaviour.
Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that reward and punishment will prompt or stop a behaviour automatically.
Bandura argues that reinforcers and punishments merely do what?

Answer 5

Bandura argues that reinforcers and punishments merely inform the individual of likely consequences

Question 6

Albert Bandura is a learning theorist, but not strictly a behaviourist, because his theory also considers the thought processes that underlie our behaviour.
Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that reward and punishment will prompt or stop a behaviour automatically.
Bandura argues that reinforcers and punishments merely inform the individual of likely consequences and it is down to the individual as to what?

Answer 6

Bandura argues that:

1. Reinforcers and punishments merely inform the individual of likely consequences
2. It is down to the individual as to whether their behaviour is affected by the potential consequences

Question 7

Albert Bandura is a learning theorist, but not strictly a behaviourist, because his theory also considers the thought processes that underlie our behaviour.
Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that reward and punishment will prompt or stop a behaviour automatically.
Bandura argues that reinforcers and punishments merely inform the individual of likely consequences and it is down to the individual as to whether their behaviour is affected by the potential consequences.
What has this acknowledgement of thought processes meant?

Answer 7

This acknowledgement of thought processes has meant that the social learning theory (SLT) is also known as the social cognitive theory

Question 8

Albert Bandura is a learning theorist, but not strictly a behaviourist, because his theory also considers the thought processes that underlie our behaviour.
Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that reward and punishment will prompt or stop a behaviour automatically.
Bandura argues that reinforcers and punishments merely inform the individual of likely consequences and it is down to the individual as to whether their behaviour is affected by the potential consequences.
This acknowledgement of thought processes has meant that the social learning theory (SLT) is also known as the social cognitive theory.
What is Bandura’s basic idea?

Answer 8

Bandura’s basic idea is that we learn behaviour by observing the:
1. Positive
2. Negative
consequences of someone else’s behaviour

Question 9

Albert Bandura is a learning theorist, but not strictly a behaviourist, because his theory also considers the thought processes that underlie our behaviour.
Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that reward and punishment will prompt or stop a behaviour automatically.
Bandura argues that reinforcers and punishments merely inform the individual of likely consequences and it is down to the individual as to whether their behaviour is affected by the potential consequences.
This acknowledgement of thought processes has meant that the social learning theory (SLT) is also known as the social cognitive theory.
Bandura’s basic idea is that we learn behaviour by observing the positive and negative consequences of someone else’s behaviour
What does this mean?

Answer 9

This means that we learn the behaviour vicariously

Question 10

Albert Bandura is a learning theorist, but not strictly a behaviourist, because his theory also considers the thought processes that underlie our behaviour.
Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that reward and punishment will prompt or stop a behaviour automatically.
Bandura argues that reinforcers and punishments merely inform the individual of likely consequences and it is down to the individual as to whether their behaviour is affected by the potential consequences.
This acknowledgement of thought processes has meant that the social learning theory (SLT) is also known as the social cognitive theory.
Bandura’s basic idea is that we learn behaviour by observing the positive and negative consequences of someone else’s behaviour.
This means that we learn the behaviour vicariously - what?

Answer 10

This means that we learn the behaviour vicariously - we don’t receive the:
1. Reward
Or,
2. Punishment
,the person who is modelling the behaviour does

Question 11

Albert Bandura is a learning theorist, but not strictly a behaviourist, because his theory also considers the thought processes that underlie our behaviour.
Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that reward and punishment will prompt or stop a behaviour automatically.
Bandura argues that reinforcers and punishments merely inform the individual of likely consequences and it is down to the individual as to whether their behaviour is affected by the potential consequences.
This acknowledgement of thought processes has meant that the social learning theory (SLT) is also known as the social cognitive theory.
Bandura’s basic idea is that we learn behaviour by observing the positive and negative consequences of someone else’s behaviour.
This means that we learn the behaviour vicariously - we don’t receive the reward or punishment, the person who is modelling the behaviour does.
What are they referred to as?

Answer 11

They are referred to as the role model

Question 12

Albert Bandura is a learning theorist, but not strictly a behaviourist, because his theory also considers the thought processes that underlie our behaviour.
Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that reward and punishment will prompt or stop a behaviour automatically.
Bandura argues that reinforcers and punishments merely inform the individual of likely consequences and it is down to the individual as to whether their behaviour is affected by the potential consequences.
This acknowledgement of thought processes has meant that the social learning theory (SLT) is also known as the social cognitive theory.
Bandura’s basic idea is that we learn behaviour by observing the positive and negative consequences of someone else’s behaviour.
This means that we learn the behaviour vicariously - we don’t receive the reward or punishment, the person who is modelling the behaviour does.
They are referred to as the role model.
Bandura agreed with the behaviourist approach that we learn directly from our experiences through what?

Answer 12

Bandura agreed with the behaviourist approach that we learn directly from our experiences through:
1. Classical
2. Operant
conditioning

Question 13

Albert Bandura is a learning theorist, but not strictly a behaviourist, because his theory also considers the thought processes that underlie our behaviour.
Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that reward and punishment will prompt or stop a behaviour automatically.
Bandura argues that reinforcers and punishments merely inform the individual of likely consequences and it is down to the individual as to whether their behaviour is affected by the potential consequences.
This acknowledgement of thought processes has meant that the social learning theory (SLT) is also known as the social cognitive theory.
Bandura’s basic idea is that we learn behaviour by observing the positive and negative consequences of someone else’s behaviour.
This means that we learn the behaviour vicariously - we don’t receive the reward or punishment, the person who is modelling the behaviour does.
They are referred to as the role model.
Bandura agreed with the behaviourist approach that we learn directly from our experiences through classical and operant conditioning.
However, Bandura argued that we also learn how?

Answer 13

Bandura argued that we also learn indirectly

Question 14

Albert Bandura is a learning theorist, but not strictly a behaviourist, because his theory also considers the thought processes that underlie our behaviour.
Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that reward and punishment will prompt or stop a behaviour automatically.
Bandura argues that reinforcers and punishments merely inform the individual of likely consequences and it is down to the individual as to whether their behaviour is affected by the potential consequences.
This acknowledgement of thought processes has meant that the social learning theory (SLT) is also known as the social cognitive theory.
Bandura’s basic idea is that we learn behaviour by observing the positive and negative consequences of someone else’s behaviour.
This means that we learn the behaviour vicariously - we don’t receive the reward or punishment, the person who is modelling the behaviour does.
They are referred to as the role model.
Bandura agreed with the behaviourist approach that we learn directly from our experiences through classical and operant conditioning.
However, Bandura argued that we also learn indirectly, by doing what?

Answer 14

Bandura argued that we also learn indirectly, by:
1. Observing
2. Imitating
others

Question 15

Albert Bandura is a learning theorist, but not strictly a behaviourist, because his theory also considers the thought processes that underlie our behaviour.
Bandura challenges Skinner’s idea that reward and punishment will prompt or stop a behaviour automatically.
Bandura argues that reinforcers and punishments merely inform the individual of likely consequences and it is down to the individual as to whether their behaviour is affected by the potential consequences.
This acknowledgement of thought processes has meant that the social learning theory (SLT) is also known as the social cognitive theory.
Bandura’s basic idea is that we learn behaviour by observing the positive and negative consequences of someone else’s behaviour.
This means that we learn the behaviour vicariously - we don’t receive the reward or punishment, the person who is modelling the behaviour does.
They are referred to as the role model.
Bandura agreed with the behaviourist approach that we learn directly from our experiences through classical and operant conditioning.
However, Bandura argued that we also learn indirectly, by observing and imitating others, especially if what?

Answer 15

Bandura argued that we also learn indirectly, by:
1. Observing
2. Imitating
others, especially if others appear to be rewarded for their behaviour

Question 16

What terms relate to the social learning approach?

Answer 16

1. Imitation
2. Identification
3. Modelling
4. Vicarious reinforcement
   relate to the social learning approach

Question 17

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
1. What is imitation?

Answer 17

Imitation is when an individual:

1. Observes a behaviour from a role model
2. Copies it

Question 18

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
1. Imitation is when an individual observes a behaviour from a role model and copies it.
Why is the term imitation more appropriate than copying?

Answer 18

The term imitation as more appropriate than copying, because the behaviour:

1. Is often not able to be copied exactly
2. Is merely a simulation

Question 19

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
2. What is identification?

Answer 19

Identification is when an individual is influenced by another, because they:
1. Are in some way similar
Or,
2. Wish to be like them

Question 20

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
2. Identification is when an individual is influenced by another, because they are in some way similar or wish to be like them.
The ‘model’ is the person with whom they identify.
There are many factors influencing the choice of model by someone.
What do these include?

Answer 20

These include:

1. The same gender
2. The same ethnicity
3. Higher status
4. Greater expertise

Question 21

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
2. Identification is when an individual is influenced by another, because they are in some way similar or wish to be like them.
The ‘model’ is the person with whom they identify.
There are many factors influencing the choice of model by someone.
These include the same gender, the same ethnicity, higher status and greater expertise.
These need not all be present, but identification does not occur unless what?

Answer 21

These need not all be present, but identification does not occur unless there is a reason

Question 22

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
3. What is modelling?

Answer 22

Modelling is when someone is influential on an individual in some way

Question 23

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
3. Modelling is when someone is influential on an individual in some way - what are they referred to in social learning theory (SLT) as?

Answer 23

Modelling is when someone is influential on an individual in some way - they are referred to in social learning theory (SLT) as a model

Question 24

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
3. Modelling is when someone is influential on an individual in some way - they are referred to in social learning theory (SLT) as a model.
If the individual then imitates that person’s behaviour later, what is it called?

Answer 24

If the individual then imitates that person’s behaviour later, it is called modelling the behaviour

Question 25

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
3. Modelling is when someone is influential on an individual in some way - they are referred to in social learning theory (SLT) as a model.
If the individual then imitates that person’s behaviour later, it is called modelling the behaviour.
When is this term only used?

Answer 25

This term is only used when referring to behaviour that is imitated

Question 26

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
4. What is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 26

Vicarious reinforcement is the reinforcement the observer sees the model receiving

Question 27

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
4. Vicarious reinforcement is the reinforcement the observer sees the model receiving.
They do not receive the reward themselves, but what?

Answer 27

They do not receive the reward themselves, but they see someone else get it

Question 28

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
4. Vicarious reinforcement is the reinforcement the observer sees the model receiving.
They do not receive the reward themselves, but they see someone else get it.
A reinforcement, such as a reward, makes a behaviour more likely to happen again.
When it is vicarious, how does the person learn?

Answer 28

When it is vicarious, the person learns by observing the consequences of another person’s behaviour

Question 29

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
4. Vicarious reinforcement is the reinforcement the observer sees the model receiving.
They do not receive the reward themselves, but they see someone else get it.
A reinforcement, such as a reward, makes a behaviour more likely to happen again.
When it is vicarious, the person learns by observing the consequences of another person’s behaviour.
Example

Answer 29

For example, a younger sister observing an older sister being rewarded for a particular behaviour is more likely to repeat that behaviour herself

Question 30

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
4. Vicarious reinforcement is the reinforcement the observer sees the model receiving.
They do not receive the reward themselves, but they see someone else get it.
A reinforcement, such as a reward, makes a behaviour more likely to happen again.
When it is vicarious, the person learns by observing the consequences of another person’s behaviour.
For example, a younger sister observing an older sister being rewarded for a particular behaviour is more likely to repeat that behaviour herself.
With vicarious reinforcement, what must happen first?

Answer 30

With vicarious reinforcement, the observer must identify with the model first

Question 31

Imitation, identification, modelling and vicarious reinforcement relate to the social learning approach.
4. Vicarious reinforcement is the reinforcement the observer sees the model receiving.
They do not receive the reward themselves, but they see someone else get it.
A reinforcement, such as a reward, makes a behaviour more likely to happen again.
When it is vicarious, the person learns by observing the consequences of another person’s behaviour.
For example, a younger sister observing an older sister being rewarded for a particular behaviour is more likely to repeat that behaviour herself.
With vicarious reinforcement, the observer must identify with the model first - we do not just do what?

Answer 31

With vicarious reinforcement, the observer must identify with the model first - we do not just copy any behaviour from anyone that we see rewarded

Question 32

Observed behaviour can be what and acted upon at a later time?

Answer 32

Observed behaviour can be:
1. Stored
2. Acted upon
at a later time

Question 33

Observed behaviour can be stored and acted upon at a later time.
What do mediational processes determine?

Answer 33

Mediational processes determine whether a behaviour that is observed will actually be imitated

Question 34

When is identification and then modelling more likely occur?

Answer 34

Identification and then modelling is more likely to occur if the model is similar

Question 35

Identification and then modelling is more likely to occur if the model is similar, if what, for example?

Answer 35

Identification and then modelling is more likely to occur if the model is similar, if they are the same age or gender, for example

Question 36

What did Andsager et al. (2006) find?

Answer 36

Andsager et al. (2006) found that perceived similarity to a model in an anti-alcohol advertisement was positively related to the messages’ effectiveness

Question 37

Fox and Bailenson (2009) found evidence for identification using computer generated ‘virtual’ humans engaging in exercise or merely loitering.
The models looked either similar or dissimilar to the individual participants.
Participants engaged in more exercise in the 24 hours following the experiment than participants who viewed a dissimilar model exercising or their virtual model merely loitering.

Answer 37

k

Question 38

Mediational processes

Answer 38

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes

Question 39

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
When does this occur?

Answer 39

This occurs between:

1. Observing the behaviour (stimulus)
2. Imitating it or not (response)

Question 40

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
How many mediational processes are there documented by Bandura (1977)?

Answer 40

There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977):

1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Reproduction
4. Motivation

Question 41

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
1. Attention:
For a behaviour to be imitated, it has to do what?

Answer 41

For a behaviour to be imitated, it has to get our attention

Question 42

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
1. Attention:
For a behaviour to be imitated, it has to get our attention.
We observe many behaviours on a daily basis and many of these are not noteworthy.
Attention is therefore pivotal in what?

Answer 42

Attention is therefore pivotal in whether a behaviour has an influence on others imitating it

Question 43

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
2. Retention:
The behaviour may be noticed, but it is not always what?

Answer 43

The behaviour may be noticed, but it is not always remembered

Question 44

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
2. Retention:
The behaviour may be noticed, but it is not always remembered, which prevents imitation.
Therefore, it is important that a memory of the behaviour is formed for it to be what?

Answer 44

Therefore, it is important that a memory of the behaviour is formed for it to be performed later by the observer

Question 45

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
2. Retention:
The behaviour may be noticed, but it is not always remembered, which prevents imitation.
Therefore, it is important that a memory of the behaviour is formed for it to be performed later by the observer.
Much of social learning is not immediate, so what?

Answer 45

Much of social learning is not immediate, so retention is especially important in those cases

Question 46

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
2. Retention:
The behaviour may be noticed, but it is not always remembered, which prevents imitation.
Therefore, it is important that a memory of the behaviour is formed for it to be performed later by the observer.
Much of social learning is not immediate, so retention is especially important in those cases.
Even if the behaviour is reproduced shortly after seeing it, what?

Answer 46

Even if the behaviour is reproduced shortly after seeing it, there needs to be a memory to refer to

Question 47

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
3. Reproduction:
We see a lot of behaviour on a daily basis that we would like to be able to imitate, but this is not always possible, why?

Answer 47

We see a lot of behaviour on a daily basis that we would like to be able to imitate, but this is not always possible, because we are limited by our physical ability

Question 48

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
3. Reproduction:
We see a lot of behaviour on a daily basis that we would like to be able to imitate, but this is not always possible, because we are limited by our physical ability and for that reason, what?

Answer 48

We see a lot of behaviour on a daily basis that we would like to be able to imitate, but this is not always possible, because we are limited by our physical ability and for that reason, even if we wish to reproduce the behaviour, we cannot

Question 49

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
3. Reproduction:
We see a lot of behaviour on a daily basis that we would like to be able to imitate, but this is not always possible, because we are limited by our physical ability and for that reason, even if we wish to reproduce the behaviour, we cannot.
What does this influence?

Answer 49

This influences our decision whether to try and imitate it or not

Question 50

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
3. Reproduction:
We see a lot of behaviour on a daily basis that we would like to be able to imitate, but this is not always possible, because we are limited by our physical ability and for that reason, even if we wish to reproduce the behaviour, we cannot.
This influences our decision whether to try and imitate it or not.
Example

Answer 50

For example, an elderly woman may see a young girl dancing and she may appreciate that the skill is desirable, but she will not try to imitate it, because she knows she physically can’t do it

Question 51

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
4. Motivation:
The rewards and punishments that follow a behaviour will be what by the observer?

Answer 51

The rewards and punishments that follow a behaviour will be considered by the observer

Question 52

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
4. Motivation:
The rewards and punishments that follow a behaviour will be considered by the observer.
If the perceived rewards outweigh the perceived costs (if there are any), then the behaviour will be more likely to be imitated by the observer.
If the vicarious reinforcement is not seen to be important enough to the observer, then what?

Answer 52

If the vicarious reinforcement is not seen to be important enough to the observer, then they will not imitate the behaviour

Question 53

We do not automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it.
There is some thought prior to imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 mediational processes documented by Bandura (1977) - Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.

For example, Natasha, a little girl trying on lipstick, illustrates these processes.
Natasha notices her mum putting on lipstick before going out for the evening and she then hears her dad complimenting her mum on how she looks.
She notices this (attention).
She remembers where her mum keeps her make up and how to open the lipstick (retention).
She is also able to apply it (reproduction).
She knows she will probably be told off, but she wants to get compliments from her dad too and wants to look grown up like her mum, which is more important than the telling off (motivation).
What is likely?

Answer 53

It is likely that Natasha will imitate the behaviour

Question 54

Evaluation:
Strengths:
1. The social learning approach takes thought processes into account an acknowledges the role that they play in deciding if a behaviour is to be imitated or not.

2. The social learning approach can successfully explain the imitation of certain behaviours.
   This has been shown in examples like why someone would start smoking.
3. SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of learnt behaviour than the behaviourist approach.
4. SLT can be used to explain why individuals may reenact violence they have seen in computer games or on the media.
   For example, the James Bulger case.
5. SLT is useful in explaining cultural differences in behaviour (such as gender roles) and the influence of people and the media surrounding an individual.
6. Less deterministic than the behaviourist approach, because cognitive factors are involved, too, for example mediational processes, and because it suggests that not only is someone influenced by their external environment, but they can also influence that environment (reciprocal determinism).

Weaknesses:
1. A problem of causality.
The cause of delinquency, argue critics, may not be social learning as a result of exposure to deviant role models, but the possession of deviant attitudes prior to contact with deviant peers.

2. A problem of complexity.
   There is a disregard for other potential influences on behaviour.
   Children are exposed to many different influences, all of them interacting in complex ways.
   If virtually anything can have an influence on a specific behaviour, it becomes very difficult to show that one particular thing (social learning) is the main casual influence.
3. Over-reliance on laboratory studies.
   They lack ecological validity, but have high levels of control, so a cause and effect relationship can be identified.
4. Underestimates the biological factors.
5. The social learning theory is not a full explanation for all behaviour.
   This is particularly the case when there is no apparent role model in the person’s life to imitate for a given behaviour.
   This occurs, for example, in the case of psychopathic behaviour in just one individual in a family.
6. Social learning theorists use a variety of research methods in their work.
   This means that they can sometimes be criticised for being unscientific.

Answer 54

Fox - Identification

Bandura - Bobo doll

Question 55

Bandura agreed with the behaviourist assumption that behaviour is learnt, but what?

Answer 55

Bandura agreed with the behaviourist assumption that behaviour is learnt, but proposed in SLT that behaviour is learnt through observation of role models the individual has identified with and imitation of their behaviour within a social context

Question 56

Bandura agreed with the behaviourist assumption that behaviour is learnt, but proposed in SLT that behaviour is learnt through observation of role models the individual has identified with and imitation of their behaviour within a social context.
What does imitation occur?

Answer 56

Imitation occurs when vicarious reinforcement (rewards for behaviour) has been observed

Question 57

Bandura agreed with the behaviourist assumption that behaviour is learnt, but proposed in SLT that behaviour is learnt through observation of role models the individual has identified with and imitation of their behaviour within a social context.
Imitation occurs when vicarious reinforcement (rewards for behaviour) has been observed.
Bandura described 4 mental processes/mediational processes that take place during learning (1 and 2) and performing (3 and 4).
Why is this element of social learning theory often seen as a bridge between the behaviourist approach and the cognitive approach?

Answer 57

This element of social learning theory is often seen as a bridge between the behaviourist approach and the cognitive approach, because it looks at mental (cognitive) processes of learning