Lesson 4- Social Learning Theory

Question 1

social learning theory

Answer 1

Bandura (1977)
modelling, imitation, identification, vicarious reinforcement, mediational processes (attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation)

Question 2

social learning theory stages

Answer 2

modelling- requires a person to model/carry out the behaviour so that observer can learn behaviour, model can be live or symbolic
imitation- successful imitation includes factors of characteristics of model eg gender, age, observers perceived ability to perform the behaviour shown, observed consequences of behaviour (positive/negative)
identification- extent to which the observer relates to the model and feels that they are similar to them so they could experience same outcomes as model, aims to be like model as much as possible, children likely to identify with model of same sex
vicarious reinforcement- individuals do not need to experience rewards/punishment directly to learn new behaviours, can observe consequences of behaviours by observing a model and if rewards are given to model children more likely to imitate behaviour shown
mediational processes- observer must form a mental representation of behaviour being displayed by model and likely consequences of behaviour in terms of expectancies, observer might displayed learned behaviour provided there is expectation that positive consequences are more likely to occur than negative

Question 3

mediational processes

Answer 3

attention- observer must pay attention and notice the behaviour of the model
retention- observer must remember the behaviour of the model
motor reproduction- observer must be able to perform the behaviour
motivation- observer must be willing to perform the behaviour in light of rewards

Question 4

bobo doll study

Answer 4

bandura (1961)
procedure: involved 36 male and 36 female children aged between 37-69 months who observed aggressive and non-aggressive behaviour adult role models and were then tested for imitative learning in the absence of model
-half watched an adult role model behave aggressively towards a bobo doll and half watched role model not behave aggressively
-aggressive role model displayed distinctive physically aggressive acts towards doll eg striking with a mallet with verbal aggression ‘pow’
-following exposure to children observing these aggressive acts they were made to feel frustrated, shown attractive toys but told not allowed to play with them
-children one by one taken into room with toys including bobo doll, mallet, dart gun and non-aggressive toys too, children observed for 20 mins
findings: children who observed aggressive role model reproduced same aggressive behaviour towards bobo doll whereas children observed non-aggressive model showed no aggression to bobo doll, 33% of children who observed and heard repeated, 0% in non-aggressive group displayed verbal aggression
-follow up study, children observed model being rewarded for aggressive behaviour, increased likelihood that children would also be aggressive to bobo doll, boys seem to be more aggressive than girls, imitation of model was greatest when model was same gender as observer

Question 5

social learning theory strengths

Answer 5

-Akers 1998 found criminals seem to engage in more criminal behaviour when exposed to a model they can highly identify with, if model receives positive outcome for committing crimes then increases likelihood that observer will also commit crime
-fox 2009 found evidence to suggest that when an observer played a computer game that had a model that looked very similar to themselves they were more likely to engage in the same behaviours as the model such as doing exercise/not, easier to visuakise themselves in same place
-reciprocal determinism, not merely influenced by our external environment, but also exert influence on it through behaviours we choose, suggests some free will in how we behave, takes into account choosing role model
-gives more comprehensive view of human learning when compared to operant/classical conditioning, recognises importance of both behavioural and cognitive factors when examining how new behaviours learnt

Question 6

social learning theory weaknesses

Answer 6

-does not take into account cause and effect, increased associations with peers can increase likelihood of delinquent behaviour in young people through learning poor behaviour, however other factors could cause delinquency such as poor attitudes, Siegel and McCormick 2006 found young people who have deviant attitudes tend to seek out peers with similar attitudes which account for delinquency behaviour
-ignores other potential influences on behaviour, eg biology or genetics that could cause certain behaviours, banduras study, boys more aggressive than girls possibly due to testosterone
-demand characteristics, bandura conducted in a lab setting, which could mean participants know they are being studied and more likely to show demand characteristics, main purpose of doll was to strike it, children were just behaving how they thought was expected, lacks ecological validity, tells us little about how children actually learn aggression in everyday life