learning approaches - social learning theory

Question 1

assumptions (bandura)

Answer 1

• agreed with behaviourists that behaviour is learned from experiences
• however his slt proposed that people learn through observation and imitation of others
• slt suggested that learning occurs directly through classical and operant conditioning, but also indirectly

Question 2

vicarious reinforcement

Answer 2

• for indirect learning to take place, an individual observes behaviour of others
• learner may imitate this behaviour, but in general imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) and not punished, vicarious reinforcement occurs
• the learner observes a behaviour but more importantly observes the consequences of this behaviour

Question 3

role of mediational processes

Answer 3

• slt often described as ‘bridge’ between behaviourist learning theory and cognitive approach, focuses on how mental factors are involved in learning
• these mental factors mediate in the learning process to determine whether new response is acquired

four mediational process identified by bandora -
- attention - extent to which we notice certain behaviours
- retention - how well behaviour is remembered (cognitive element)
- motor reproduction - ability of observer to perform behaviour
- motivation - will to perform behaviour, determined by reward and punishment, based on principles of operant conditioning

• first two relate to learning of behaviour, last two relate to performance of behaviour
• learning and performance don’t have to occur together, behaviours may be stored by observer and reprieved at a later time

Question 4

identification / modelling

Answer 4

• people more likely to imitate people they identify with, called a role model, process of imitating a role model is called modelling
• person becomes role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer, or they are attractive or have high status
• may not be physically present in environment

Question 5

bandura bobo doll study

Answer 5

• recorded young children who watched adult behave in aggressive way towards bobo doll, hitting doll with hammer and shouting abuse, also tested gender
• children later observed playing with other toys, behaved much more aggressively towards the doll and other toys than those who observed non-aggressive adult
• learn due to exposure to role model
• lab experiment, 72 children, good control

Question 6

bandura second study with walters

Answer 6

• showed videos to children where adult behaved aggressively toward bobo doll
• one group saw adult being praised for behaviour, one saw adult being punished, one was control and saw no consequences
• when give their own bobo doll, first group showed much more aggression, followed by third, followed by second
• vicarious learning

Question 7

evaluation - cognitive factors

Answer 7

• strength is that it recognises importance of cognitive factors in learning
• classical and operant conditioning don’t offer adequate amount of learning on their own
• humans and animals store info about behaviours of others and use this to make judgements about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions ]
• slt provides more comprehensive explanation of humans learning by recognising role of mediational processes

Question 8

evaluation - counterpoint to cognitive factors

Answer 8

• slt has been criticised for making too little reference to influence of biological factors
• bandura claimed natural biological differences influenced our learning potential
• recent research suggests that observational learning may be result of mirror neurons in brain, allowing us to empathise with and imitate others
• not a complete theory

Question 9

evaluation - contrived lab studies

Answer 9

• limitation is that evidence it is based on was gathered through lab studies
• many of bandura’s ideas were developed through observation of children in the lab
• lab studies often criticised for contrived nature where participants may present demand characteristics
• in relation to bobo doll, children may have been simply behaving in a way that they thought was expected
• slt may tell us little about how children learn aggression in real life

Question 10

evaluation - real-world application

Answer 10

• strength is that slt principles have been applied to real-world behaviours
• can explain cultural differences in behaviour, principles such as modelling, imitation and reinforcement can account for how children learn fro others, which can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through societies
• this is useful in understanding range of behaviours, including how children come to understand their gender role
• helps parents to understand why children may express certain behaviours, based off what they are watching
• age ratings on games and tv, certain films and shows only being shown late at night (the watershed)
• increases value of approach

Question 11

evaluation - environmental determinism

Answer 11

• soft determinism, we have free will over whether we choose to replicate behaviours
• environmental determinism because we are influenced by environment, stimulus and response, good because it means we can better measure it

Question 12

evaluation - pessimistic, less reductionist

Answer 12

• quite a negative approach as we don’t get to choose our role models
• for example we don’t choose our parents
• however we do still have some free will as we have to choose to replicate or even pay attention in the first place, so less pessimistic than other approaches
• unlike other approaches such as behaviourism, it isn’t reductionist, more holistic and complex

Question 13

evaluation - reliability

Answer 13

• can be easily replicated
• lab setting, same time period for aggression, same doll, same actions towards doll, same words exclaimed
• therefore lots of experimental support
• testable, scientific and falsifiable