Learning Approach- Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Social learning theory- Bandura

Answer 1

• Behaviour is learned through experience, specifically through observation and imitation within a social context.
  Bandura devised the following key points about social learning theory:
  1. Modelling.
  2. Imitation.
  3. Identification.
  4. Vicarious reinforcement.
  5. Mediational processes (cognitive factors)

Question 2

Explain modelling and imitation.

Answer 2

1. Modelling – In order for social learning to take place models must carry out the behaviour to be learnt.
   A live model could be a parent, teacher or peer. A symbolic model could be someone in the media.
2. Imitation – A lot of the behaviour people acquire is learnt though copying (imitating) the behaviour that is modelled by others.
   (Including characteristics of the model (age/gender), ability to perform the behaviour, +ve or -ve consequences of the behaviour.)

Question 3

Explain identification and vicarious reinforcement.

Answer 3

3. Identification – We are more likely to imitate the behaviour of a model who we admire or who is similar to us in some way.
4. Vicarious reinforcement- Individuals learn by observing the behaviour of others and the reward and punishment they receive. If rewards are given the children are more likely to imitate shown behaviour .

Question 4

Explain mediational processes

Answer 4

Social learning places importance in internal cognitive mediational processes.
- Cognitive factors occur between the stimulus (observing the behaviour) and the response (imitating the behaviour).

Involves the following stages:

1. Attention- observer must pay attention and notice behaviour of the model.
2. Retention- observer must remember behaviour of model.
3. Motor reproduction- observer must be able to perform the behaviour.
4. Motivation- observer must be willing to perform the behaviour in light of rewards.

People can learn a behaviour but still not reproduce it because they are not motivated to, or they are not capable of that behaviour.

Question 5

Bandura- Bobo doll experiment.

Answer 5

• Bandura conducted a study involving 36 male and 36 female children aged 3-7 years of age. The children had to observe a model acting either aggressively or non aggressively with a bobo doll.
• Half the children watched an adult role model behave aggressively towards a Bobo doll and half watched an adult role model behaviour non-aggressively.
• The aggressive role model displayed distinctive physically aggressive acts towards the doll. Eg. striking it with a mallet accompanied by verbal aggression such as pow.
• The children were made to feel frustrated by being shown attractive toys but told they’re not allowed to play with them.
• The children were then taken to a room which had some toys including a Bobo doll. The children were observed for 20 minutes
• 33% of children who observed and her verbal aggression repeated what they had seen and heard.
  However 0% of children in the non-aggressive group displayed verbal aggression.
  Boys were more aggressive than girls and imitation of aggression was greatest when the model was the same gender as the observer.

Question 6

Evaluation of social learning theory (+)

Answer 6

1. It gives a more comprehensive view of human learning. SLT recognises the importance of both behavioural and cognitive factors when examining how people learn new behaviours, unlike the behaviourist approach. Therefore offers are more detailed and complex picture of learning than classical and operant conditioning.
2. It has provided greater understanding of how criminal behaviour is learnt.
   Akers found that criminals seem to engage in more criminal behaviour when they are exposed to a model that they can highly identify with (same gender/age).
   If the model receives a positive outcome for committing crime then this increases the likelihood that the observer will also commit a crime. Therefore this supports vicarious reinforcement.

Question 7

Evaluation of social learning theory (-)

Answer 7

1. Ignores other potential influences on behaviour.
   Eg. the role of biology or genetics which could cause people to behave in certain ways. Bandura found in his experiment that boys were more aggressive than girls regardless of the experimental situation that they were in. This may be due to the hormone testosterone. Therefore SLT ignores biological factors that could influence behaviours.
2. Cause and effect unclear. It is difficult to distinguish behaviours that develop because of SLT from the many other factors that contribute to human behaviour, which poses an issue for the social learning explanation of behaviour.