Approaches - Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Social Learning Theory Definition

Answer 1

Learning through observing others and imitating behaviours that are rewarded.

Question 2

Who researched social learning theory?

Answer 2

Albert Bandura

Question 3

What did Alberta Bandura believe?

Answer 3

That new patterns of behaviour could be acquired not only through direct experience, but by observing one’s own behaviour and the behaviour of others.

Question 4

Modelling Definition

Answer 4

A form of learning where individuals learn a particular behaviour by observing another individual performing that behaviour.

Question 5

What are the different types of models + examples?

Answer 5

Live model - parent, teacher, school member

Symbolic model - someone portrayed in media/TV

Question 6

What do the models provide?

Answer 6

Examples of behaviour that can be observed by the individual and later reproduced by them in a process known as imitation.

Question 7

Imitation

Answer 7

The action of using someone or something as a model and copying their behaviour.

Question 8

How does a child learn most things?

Answer 8

Through imitation of attitudes and behaviour modelled by parents, who’s patterns of behaviour can be rapidly acquired through imitation.

Question 9

What are the key determinants of whether a behaviour is imitated?

Answer 9

1) The characteristics of the model
2) The observer’s perceived ability to perform that behaviour
3) The observed consequences of the behaviour

Question 10

Identification

Answer 10

Is a form of social influence where an individual adopts an attitude or behaviour because they want to be associated with a particular person or group.

Question 11

What does identification refer to in social learning theory?

Answer 11

The extent to which an individual relates to a model and feels that they are similar to that person.

Question 12

What is needed for a person to identify with a model?

Answer 12

Observers must feel that they are similar enough to the model and that they are likely to experience the same outcome in that situation.

Question 13

What does Shutts et al. Research suggest?

Answer 13

That children are more likely to identify with, and preferentially learn from, models who are similar to them, particularly Sam-sex models.

Question 14

What does it mean for social learning if the individual identifies with a model?

Answer 14

The individual is more likely to imitate their behaviour, meaning social learning theory is more likely to be effective.

Question 15

Vicarious Reinforcement Definition

Answer 15

Learning that is not a result of direct reinforcement of behaviour, but through observing someone else being reinforced for that behaviour.

Question 16

What did Bandura and Walter (1963) note?

Answer 16

That children who observed a model rewarded for aggressive behaviour were much more likely to imitate that behaviour than children who had observed a model punished fro the same behaviour. (Vicarious reinforcement)

Question 17

What does the concept of social learning theory suggest?

Answer 17

That individuals do not need to experience rewards or punishments directly in order to learn. Instead they can observe the consequences experienced by a model and then make judgements as to the likelihood of experiencing these outcomes themselves.

Question 18

Mediational Processes

Answer 18

Refer to the internal mental processes that exist between environmental stimuli and the response made by an individual to those stimuli.

Question 19

What did Bandura claim needed to occur in order for social learning to take place?

Answer 19

That the observer must form mental representations of the behaviour displayed by the model and the probable consequences of that behaviour in terms of expectancies of future outcomes.

Question 20

What might happen in the future if an appropriate opportunity arises?

Answer 20

The individual might display the learned behaviour provided that the expectation of positive consequences is greater than the expectation of negative consequences.

Question 21

Who did the Key Study on Social Learning Theory?

Answer 21

Bandura et al. (1961)

Question 22

Bandura Key Study Procedures

Answer 22

Independent groups experiment. Half children exposed to a non-aggressive model, the others an aggressive model who struck a ‘bobo doll’ in a playroom and accompanied by their distinctive actions were novel verbal comments. The children were ‘frustrated’ by passing toys they could not play with and were taken to a room that had a Bobo doll amongst other toys.

Question 23

Bandura Key Study Findings

Answer 23

Children who observed the aggressive model displayed a good deal of physically and verbally aggressive behaviour resembling that of the model. Children who had not been presented with an aggressive model exhibited virtually no aggression toward the Bobo doll or made no comment.

Question 24

Strengths of the social learning theory: validity, explanatory value - Akers (1998)

Answer 24

Has increased our understanding of. Many areas of human behaviour, including criminal behaviour. Akers suggested probability of someone engaging in criminal activity increases when they are exposed to models who commit criminal behaviour, identify with these models and develop the expectation of positive consequences for their own criminal behaviour.

Question 25

How did Ulrich support Akers application of social learning theory?

Answer 25

He found that the strongest cause of violent behaviour in adolescence was association with delinquent peer groups, where violence was both modelled and rewarded.

Question 26

Strengths of the social learning theory: Applications

Answer 26

Health promotion campaigns, the importance of identification to health behaviours supported by Andsager et al(2006) who found that perceived similarity to a model in an anti-alcohol advertisement was positively related to the messages effectiveness.

Question 27

Strengths of the social learning theory: research support for identification

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Limitations of social learning theory: A problem with causality

Answer 28

The cause of delinquency 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. Siegel and McCormick (2006) suggest that young people who posses deviant attitudes and values (e.g. low self control) would seek out peers with similar attitudes and behaviours, as they are more fun to be with than their less reckless counterparts.

Question 29

Limitations of Social Learning Theory: A problem of complexity

Answer 29

In focusing exclusively on the process of social learning, their is disregard for other potential influences on behaviour.

Question 30

Limitations of Social Learning Theory: A problem of complexity - example

Answer 30

In explaining development of gender role behaviour, social learning theorists would emphasise importance of gender-specific modelling. But in real life children are exposed to many different influences, all interacting in complex ways. Include, genetic predispositions, media portrayals, locus of control etc. If virtually anything can have influence on specific behaviour, becomes difficult to show one particular thing (social learning) is the main causal influence.