learning approaches: social learning theory (SLT)

Question 1

give the 4 part process in SLT that lead to changes in behaviour

Answer 1

1) role model - admire because they possess similar characteristics to observer (or higher in status)
2) identification- to admire (identify because of those similar characteristics)
3) observation- to watch role models behaviour
4) imitating/modelling- process of imitating a role model because of your admiration for them

Question 2

briefly explain vicarious reinforcement

Answer 2

SLT suggests we learn by observing a model then imitate their behaviour, because we’re motivated by the hope of gaining some kind of reward.

• if we see a person has been punished for a behaviour, we’re less likely to imitate that behaviour. If we see a person being rewarded, we’re more likely to imitate the behaviour that led to a reward

Question 3

social learning theory

Answer 3

a way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement.

often described as the bridge between behaviourist learning theory and cognitive approach because it focuses on how cognitive factors are involved in learning.

Question 4

give 4 factors that influence an individual to copy role models behaviour

Answer 4

if they are:
- same age
- admired and/or respected
- same gender
- higher status

Question 5

give Bandura’s 4 key meditating processes involved in imitating models behaviour

Answer 5

1) attention- observer must be watching and paying attention to behaviour being modelled
2) retention- behaviour must be remembered
3) reproduction- observer has to be physically and mentally able to reproduce behaviour
4) observer must want to imitate behaviour

Question 6

briefly explain the procedure of Bandura (1961) bobo doll experiment

Answer 6

• 50% of children saw adult playing aggressively, beating up bobo doll
• 50% of children saw a non-aggressive adult
• after observing adult the children were taken to another room with toys and a bobo doll
• observed for 20 mins in another room and rated for the extent they imitated behaviour they’d just seen

Question 7

briefly explain the 2 findings of Bandura (1961) bobo doll experiment

Answer 7

• children who saw aggressive behaviour of adult imitated behaviour when left in separate room
• children who didn’t see an adults aggressive behaviour left the bobo doll alone and played calmly with other toys

Question 8

briefly explain the conclusion of Bandura (1961) bobo doll experiment

Answer 8

role models have a direct affect on behaviour for young people

• more aggressive the role model = more aggressive the young person will be
• young people are more affected by this due to being more influenced at this age by those around them (mainly those they admire older than them)

Question 9

give one limitation of the social learning theory

Answer 9

evidence which it’s based on was gathered from lab studies
- criticised for their contrived nature where participants may respond to demand characteristics
- e.g. in bobo doll experiment children may have been aggressive as they thought the researcher expected them to
- therefore lacks realism, of how children actually learn in everyday life

Question 10

give one strength of the social learning theory

Answer 10

SLT principles (e.g. imitation and reinforcement) have real world application
- they can account for how children learn from others around them
- this can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies
- has helped to understand a range of behaviours (e.g. how children come to understand their gender role)
- therefore increasing value of the approach as it can account for real world behaviour