Lesson 4 The Learning Approach Social Lesrning Theory And Bandura’s Research Flashcards
Social Learning Theory by Bandra (key points)
• Social learning Theory explains how behaviour can be learnt. Bandura devised the following key points about Social Learning Theory.
1) Modelling
2) Imitation
3) Identification
4) Vicarious reinforcement
5) Mediational Processes
Modelling
• Social learning requires a person to model or carry out the behaviour, so that the observer can learn the behaviour. The model can be live e.g. a parent or a peer group, or it could be symbolic such as a TV character. Models provide examples of behaviour which can be learned by imitation.
Imitation
• Children learn behaviours via imitation that are modelled by significant others and this process tends to be more rapid than using classical or operant conditioning. Key characteristics of successful imitation includes the factors of
• A) The characteristics of the model (age, gender etc)
• B) The observers perceived ability to perform the behaviour shown
• C) The observed consequence of behaviour (positive or negative)
Identification
• This is the extent to which the observer relates to the model and feels that he/she is similar to them so that they could experience the same outcomes as the model. The person would aim to be like the model as much as they could. Children are likely to identify with a model of the same sex as themselves in order for social learning to be effective.
Vicarious reinforcement
• Children who observed a model who got rewarded for showing aggressive behaviour were more likely to imitate the aggressive behaviour as compared to children who observed a model being punished for showing aggressive behaviour. This is vicarious reinforcement and shows that individuals do not need to experience rewards or punishment directly in order to learn new behaviours. They can observe the consequences of behaviours by observing a model, and if rewards are given to the model, then children are more likely to imitate the behaviour shown.
Mediational processes (cognition)
• Social learning places importance on internal cognitive mediational processes. The observer must form a mental representation of the behaviour being displayed by the model and the likely consequences of the behaviour in terms of expectancies. The observer might display the learned behaviour, provided there is the expectation that positive consequences are more likely to occur than negative consequences. Mediational processes involve the following points:
• A) Attention – The observer must pay attention and notice the behaviour of the model
• B) Retention – The observer must remember the behaviour of the model
• C) Motor reproduction – The observer must be able to perform the behaviour
• D) Motivation – The observer must be willing to perform the behaviour in light of rewards
Advantages of Social Learning Theory by Bandura
1) Social learning theory has its strengths. It has provided great understanding of how criminal behaviour is learnt. Akers (1998) found that criminals seem to engage in more criminal behaviour when they are exposed to a model that they can highly identify with e.g. same gender/age range. (+)
2) A strength of Social learning theory is that it is more effective when the model is very similar to the observer (rather than dissimilar). If the observer is similar to the model, it makes it easier for the observer to visualise themselves in the place of the model and feel like they are having the same experience. 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 (+)
5) Social learning theory is good because it gives a more comprehensive view of human learning when compared to operant and classical conditioning. Social learning theory recognises the importance of both behavioural and cognitive factors (meditational processes) when examining how people learn new behaviours. (+)
Disadvantages of Social Learning Theory by Bandura
3) Social learning theory can be criticised because it does not take into account cause and effect. For instance, research has found that increased associations with peers can increase the likelihood of delinquent behaviour in young people through learning poor behaviour. However, we cannot assume that delinquency is caused by social learning theory alone. Other factors could cause delinquency such as deviant and poor attitudes that the person has held before (-)
4) Social learning theory can be criticised because it ignores other potential influences on behaviour. For example Social learning theory would ignore the role of biology or genetics which could cause people to behave in certain ways. For example Bandura found in his experiment that boys were more aggressive than girls, regardless of the experimental situation they were in (-)
6) The Social learning theory can be criticised because it sees behaviour as being determined by the environment (environmental determinism) rather than being caused by other factors such as genetics or innate behaviour. This can pose a criticism because genetics is a very big factor that can determine human behaviour, and the social learning theory ignores this factor. (-)
Bandura’s Bobo Doll experiment (1961) AO1
• Bandura conducted an observational study involving 36 male and 36 female children aged 37-69 months of age
• The children had to observe either an aggressive/non aggressive female/male model who was interacting with a bobo doll.
• In one condition the aggressive model displayed aggressive acts towards the bobo doll such as striking it with a mallet and shouting verbally aggressive words such as, “POW!”
• After the children observed these aggressive acts, they were made to feel frustrated. They were shown attractive toys but told they were not allowed to play with them
• The children (one by one) were then taken to a room which had some toys including a bobo doll (other toys include a mallet, a dart gun and some non aggressive toys too). The children were observed for 20 minutes
• The results found that the children who observed the aggressive model reproduced the same aggressive behaviour towards the bobo doll, whereas the children who observed the non aggressive model, showed no aggression to the bobo doll.
• 33% of children who observed and heard verbal aggression repeated what they had seen and heard, “POW!” However 0% of children in the non aggressive group displayed verbal aggression
• In a follow up study, children observed a model being rewarded for their aggressive behaviour, and this increased the likelihood that the children would also be aggressive towards the bobo doll.
• Boys seem to more aggressive than girls, and imitation of aggression was greatest when the model was the same gender as the observer.
Disadvantages of Bobo Doll experiment
1) The study by Bandura was conducted in a laboratory setting using observations
Conducting research in a laboratory setting has the disadvantage that the results gained about social learning might not be able to be generalised to the wider population and might lack ecological validity. Also, observational research has the limitation that participants might show demand characteristics and guess the aim of the study and distort their behaviour giving invalid results about social learning theory
2) The use of a bobo doll in the experiment has been criticised
The use of a bobo doll in Bandura’s experiment has been criticised. The bobo doll is quite unique, and it is meant to be hit and thrown about because it “bounces back” into the same position. Critics have stated that a bobo doll is meant to be played with in an aggressive manner and therefore the results gained from Bandura’s study do not tell us much about social learning behaviour. Maybe the bobo doll should have been replaced with another toy such as a teddy bear.
3) Short term effects only
The study by Bandura has been criticised because the bobo doll experiment is only examining the short term effects of social learning that are occurring within the experiment itself. We do not know whether the children left the experiment and behaved aggressively in the future (due to social learning theory), so therefore we do not know how powerful and influential social learning theory is as a method of learning.
4) Ethical issues are a concern
Ethical issues can be a problem in this study. The children need to be protected from psychological harm in the fact they are being taught to be more aggressive. If they behave aggressively in real life e.g. hit toys and others then this could lead to negative consequences and punishment. There is also the issue of physical harm whereby the children might wish to inflict harm on others because they have seen a model perform the same behaviours. All of the children should have been debriefed after the study to ensure that they were told the true aim, purpose and implications of social learning theory
Advantages of Bandura’s Bobo experiment
1) The study by Bandura was conducted in a laboratory setting using observations
Conducting research in a laboratory setting has the advantage that the study is highly controlled to ensure that the independent variable (watching a model behave aggressively) does have an effect on the dependent variable (learning and aggression levels). It also ensures that the study is highly reliable and the results are likely to be replicated in the future
2) Provides good evidence to support social learning theory
The research conducted by Bandura has the advantage the of providing very good evidence that social learning theory is a powerful way for children to learn new behaviours (positive and negative ones). This has the implication that we should be very aware of the role of media (e.g. TV and video games) on young children as they might be very easily influenced by what they see on TV etc. and might imitate negative/aggressive behaviours.
