Approaches : Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Key Assumptions:

Answer 1

• Learning occurs through observations and imitations
• Vicarious Reinforcement
• Modelling / Role Models
• Mediational Processes
• Researched by Bandura (Bobo Doll Experiment)

Question 2

Vicarious Reinforcement:

Answer 2

• Occurs when an individual observes another person (a role model) behave in a specific way and experiences a consequence deemed desirable to the observer.
• As a result, the observer imitates the role models behaviours

Question 3

Identification with a role model:

Answer 3

Role Models are often identified due to certain factors:

• similar characteristics (e.g. age, sex, interests etc.)
• Status
• Attractiveness
• Charisma
• Family: parents or siblings of same sex

Question 4

Mediational Processes:

Answer 4

• Mental factors involved in acquiring new behaviours
• Attention: the extent a behaviour was noticed
• Retention: how well behaviour was remembered
• Reproduction: how able is the observer to reproduce the behaviour
• Motivation: the will the observer has to carry out the behaviour (usually determined by consequence)

Question 5

Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment (1961):

Answer 5

• Bandura recorded the behaviour of young children who observed an adult act in an aggressive way toward a Bobo Doll
• Children who observed an aggressive adult were more likely to act in the same way

Question 6

Strengths of SLT:

Answer 6

• Neither operant nor classical conditioning is an adequate explanation for learning by itself
• Humans and animals rely on the behaviours of others to make judgements about their own actions
• Research support: Bandura et al. (1961)

Question 7

Limitations of SLT:

Answer 7

• Does not make enough references to biological factors
• Bandura maintained the learning itself was determined by the environment
• Biological factors are under-emphasised
• Ethical Issues: introduces risks that children will reproduce aggressive behaviours after the experiment