Lesson 4 - Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Social Learning Theory Assumption

Answer 1

• Behaviour learned through experience
-specifically through observation and imitation within social context

Question 2

Modelling definition

Answer 2

• Models carry out behaviour

• live model - parent, teacher, peer
• symbolic model - someone from media

Question 3

Imitation Definition

Answer 3

Behaviour acquired by people through copying behaviour modelled by others

Question 4

Identification Definition

Answer 4

• The extent the observer relates to the model
-Eg same sex

• Experience same outcomes as model

Question 5

Vicarious Reinforcement Definition

Answer 5

• Individuals learn by observing the behaviour of others and the reward and punishment they receive
• Individuals don’t need to experience the reward/punishment directly in order to learn new behaviours

Question 6

Meditational Processes

Answer 6

• Attention
-notice the model’s behaviour

• Retention
-remember the model’s behaviour

• Motor Reproduction
-observer is able to perform model’s behaviour

• Motivation
-observer has a reason to perform model’s behaviour

Question 7

BOBO doll experiment PPs & aims
-Bandura(1961)

Answer 7

• 36 male & 36 female children
• 3-7 years old
• Observed adult model being aggressive/non-aggressive to a BOBO doll
• Tested for imitative learning in absence of model

Question 8

BOBO doll experiment conditions 1
-Bandura(1961)

Answer 8

• Half children watched adult model be aggressive
• Half children watched adult model do opposite

Question 9

BOBO doll experiment conditions 2
-Bandura(1961)

Answer 9

• Aggressive model displayed physical aggression

• striking with mallet
• yelling ‘POW’

Question 10

BOBO doll experiment conditions 3
-Bandura(1961)

Answer 10

• Children were then made to feel frustrated
• Shown attractive toys but weren’t allowed to play with them

Question 11

BOBO doll experiment conditions 4
-Bandura(1961)

Answer 11

• Children (one by one) taken to room which had toys including BOBO doll
• Observed for 20 minutes

Question 12

BOBO doll experiment Findings 1
-Bandura(1961)

Answer 12

• Children who observed aggressive model reproduced aggressive behaviour to BOBO doll
• Children who didn’t observe aggressive model weren’t aggressive to BOBO doll

Question 13

BOBO doll experiment Findings 2
-Bandura(1961)

Answer 13

• 33% of children who observed and heard verbal aggression repeated what they had seen and heard
• 0% of children in the non aggressive group displayed verbal aggression

Question 14

BOBO doll experiment Findings 3
-Bandura(1961)

Answer 14

• Boys were more aggressive than girls

• Imitation of aggression was greatest when model was same sex as observer
-Identification

Question 15

BOBO doll experiment Conclusion
-Bandura(1961)

Answer 15

• Aggression can be learned through social learning

• Meditational processes
• Observation
• Modelling
• Identification
• Vicarious reinforcement

Question 16

Social Learning Theory Strengths

(Albert Bandura 1961)

Answer 16

• Recognises importance of behavioural & cognitive factors (mediational processes)

• when examining how people learn behaviours
• unlike behaviourist approach (classical and operant conditioning)

• Less determinist than behaviourist approach
-explanation includes concept of free

• Bandura emphasises reciprocal determinism
• ability to exert influence on external environment

Question 17

Social Learning Theory Weaknesses

(Albert Bandura 1961)

Answer 17

• Not able to explain learning of abstract notions

• Eg fairness, justice etc
• cannot be observed directly

• Doesn’t take into account cause & effect

• Studies found young people who have deviant attitudes seek out peers with similar attitudes
• rather than becoming deviant because of their peers

• Behaviour seen as environmentally determined

• ignores role of biology in behaviour
• Bandura (1961) found boys more aggressive than girls regardless of experimental situation
• Might be because of testosterone, thus biologically determined