Psychology: Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Who developed SLT and when?

Answer 1

Developed by Albert Bandura in the 1960s

Question 2

What is one similarity and one difference of SLT and behaviourism?

Answer 2

Both are observing physical traits and emotions that are observable. But SLT is learning through others unlike Behaviourism.

Question 3

What is Social Learning Theory?

Answer 3

SLT is not just about learning, it involves cognitive processes such as observing, paying attention, remembering, choice of role models and ultimately imitating behaviour.

Question 4

What are 4 assumptions of SLT?

Answer 4

1. People learn through observation and imitation not just through conditioning.
2. Role models are key to SLT and have an important influence on behaviour.
3. Some Mediational (cognitive) processes are involved between stimulus and response.
4. Learning can occur through indirect (vicarious) reinforcement.

Question 5

What is vicarious Reinforcement?

Answer 5

When a behaviour is imitated because they see it being reinforced in someone else.

Question 6

What makes us more likely to choose certain people to be role models?

Answer 6

A person becomes a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are attractive and have high status.

Question 7

What is Modelling?

Answer 7

Involves observing and imitating another person (the model).

Question 8

What are the 4 Mediational Processes?

Answer 8

Attention, Retention, Motor reproduction, motivation

Question 9

What is Bandura’s, Ross and Ross (1961) experiment?

Answer 9

• 36 boys and 36 girls tested from Stanford University Nursery School age 3-6 years
• Pre-tested for aggression
• Either shown a video of an aggressive module or a non aggressive model or no model at all
• Lab expt
• In aggressive video, the model using unique aggressive behaviours e.g. us hammar or throw
• Non-aggressive video - playing with tinker toys not bobo doll
• Participants were then subjected to a aggression arousal

Question 10

What is Bandura’s and Walters (1963) experiment?

Answer 10

Children saw an adult who was:
- Rewarded
- Punishment
- There were no consequences
When given their own doll to play with, the children who had seen aggressive behaviour rewarded were more aggressive towards the doll.
Those who had seen the models be punished for their behaviour were the least aggressive towards the bobo doll.

Question 11

Does SLT account for cultural differences?

Answer 11

Strength:
- Cultural differences in behaviour
- Anorexia Nervosa common in Western world societies (beauty standards) reward –> thin.
SLT body standards

Question 12

Does SLT account for Biological factors?

Answer 12

Limitations:
- Fails to consider biological factors e.g. Bandura’s SLT experiment aggression in boys
SLT incomplete theory

Question 13

Does SLT account for real life application?

Answer 13

Strength:
- Real life application –> criminal behaviour
- Akers (1998) criminal exposed to criminal role models are more likely to be criminals.
Positive reinforcement reduces criminality

Question 14

Does SLT account for Cognitive Factors?

Answer 14

Strengths:
- Importance of cognitive factors in learning.
- Bandura mediational processes. Repetition viral –> behaviour. Human complex behaviour.
- SLT more cognitive than behaviour.