Approaches: Social learning theory (SLT)

Question 1

Summarise SLT

Answer 1

• Way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.
• Learning can occur simply through observing others -> also known as MODELS - in our environment.

Question 2

Explain Albert Bandura’s take on the SLT

Answer 2

• Learning occurs from observing others.
• the mind, behaviour and the environment all play a role in learning behaviour.
• This deals with the major criticism of behaviourist approach, which ignores mental processes, by taking account of cognitive processes.

Question 3

What is vicarious reinforcement

Answer 3

• we learn through modelling -> modelling involves learning through the observation of other people (models), which may lead to imitation (repetition) of the behaviour.
• only if behaviour is seen to be rewarded.

Question 4

what are the 4 conditions for social learning

Answer 4

• Attention: the extent to which we notice certain behaviours (learning of behaviour).
• Retention: the individual remembers what they have observed (learning of behaviour).
• motor reproduction: the individual replicates the behaviour shown by the model (performance of behaviour).
• motivation: the individual seeks to demonstrate the behaviour that they have observed (performance of behaviour).

Question 5

what are live models

Answer 5

• physically present in our environment, e.g. mother, teacher, pop star etc.

Question 6

what are symbolic models

Answer 6

• people in films, books, cartoons etc.
• considered to have a greater effect on cultures where media is widely available.

Question 7

(+) explain how SLT has real world application (Akers)

Answer 7

• Akers suggested that the probability of someone engaging in criminal activity increases when they are exposed to models who commit crime and identify with them and develop the expectation of positive consequences of criminal behaviour.

Question 8

(+) explain how the SLT considers cognitive factors

Answer 8

• neither classical nor operant conditioning can offer a adequate account of learning on their own.
• more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes -> we make our own judgements.

Question 9

(-) what was the Bobo Doll experiment, what were the weaknesses of it

Answer 9

• children watched an aggressive or non-aggressive adult model.
• those who watched the aggressive model also displayed aggressiveness to the doll.
• behaviours of children were observed in lab settings.
• Demand characteristics
• Ecological validity -> is this representative of everyday life.

Question 10

(-) explain how the SLT ignores biological factors

Answer 10

• Boys were more aggressive in the Bobo Doll -> hormonal factors -> levels of testosterone.
• Van Goozen studied aggression in transexuals.
  -> 35 female-to-male and 15 male-to-female transsexual people completed questionnaires to assess proneness to aggression.
  -> female-to-male reported increased aggressive proneness.