outline and evaluate the social learning approach in psychology

Question 1

outline

Answer 1

SLT suggests human and animal behaviour can be learned by imitating behaviour we observe in others, through vicarious reinforcement

meditational processes: bandura 1977

attention is paid to high-status role models - may be live e.g. parent or teacher. most likely to observe models if we identify with them in some way e.g. same age

retention - observed behaviours must be memorised

motivated to reproduce behaviour through indirect positive reinforcement (anticipation of similar level of direct pos rein)
- only likely if they judge rewards of imitation outweighs costs and if they believe they have the required skills to perform behaviour

behaviour reproduced in anticipation of similar level of direct pos rein

Question 2

outline 2

Answer 2

bobo doll study (1961) - 36 m and 36 f mean age of 4 yrs split into 3 groups

1 - child led into room w female experimenter, 2nd experimenter then came and behaved aggressively towards doll

2 - same experimenter entered room but didnt behave aggressively, played with toy

3 -control, no 2nd adult role model

children led into another room but told they couldn’t play with toys. then led to another room with toys and allowed to play for 20 mins

children who had seen aggressive role model more likely to show same behaviour towards bobo doll - boys more aggressive. imitation greatest when children observed same sex adult role model aggressive

Question 3

strength

Answer 3

recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning

this is because SLT recognises the importance of meditational processes when explaining human behaviour

for example, unlike SLT, neither classical nor operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own. Humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions. SLT recognises that thought processes occur between the observation of a given behaviour and the decision to imitate it

therefore, SLT provides a more complete explanation of human learning than the behaviourist approach by recognising these important factors

Question 4

strength 2

Answer 4

culturally universal

this is when an approach argues that behaviour is the same across all groups, regardless of culture

an example of this is that all children learn the same way. they learn from the people around them and understand their gender role by imitating role models

therefore, slt shows that behaviour is imitated the same way, regardless of culture

Question 5

limit

Answer 5

environmentally determinist

this is when an approach suggests that behaviour is caused by external environmental factors and only these factors shape behaviours

however, not all people will imitate behaviour that they see in a role model with bandura’s study showing that some children will choose not to behave aggressively despite that behaviour being shown by an adult role model

therefore, this causes us to question the validity of social learning as an explanation for behaviour

Question 6

limit 2

Answer 6

environmentally reductionist

which is when an approach inappropriately explains complex behaviour at a basic learned level

this is shown as boys, biologically, have higher levels of testosterone compared to girls and higher levels of testosterone is linked to aggressive behaviour

as this important influence is not accounted for in SLT, it causes us to question the validity of social learning as an explanation for behaviour