SCLOA - Explain Social Learning Theory with reference to relevant studies

Question 1

Social Learning Theory

Answer 1

• people learn behaviours, attitudes, emotional reactions, etc not only from direct experience but also from observing models (other humans)

Conditions that must be met for social learning to occur:

• attention
• retention
• motor reproduction
• motivation

Main studies:

• Bandura (1965)
• Wells-Wilbon and Holland (2001)

Question 2

factors determining whether social learning will occur

Answer 2

• consistency of model’s behaviour
• identification with the model
• incentives (rewards/punishments)

Question 3

Bandura (1965) - process

Answer 3

1. young children were showed a video of an adult behaving aggressively to a Bobo doll
2. 3 conditions:
   - control: no reward or punishment shown
   - model-rewarded: after the aggression, a second adult rewarded the model with sweets and a soft drink
   - model-punished: after the aggression, a second adult scolded and spanked the model
3. after the video, children were taken for 10 mins into a playroom with the doll and observed

Question 4

Bandura (1965) - findings and conclusion

Answer 4

• control and model-rewarded showed equal aggressiveness
• model-punished showed less aggressiveness
• but when children were asked to reproduce the video aggressor’s behaviour (and informed that they would be rewarded) they all showed a higher levels of aggression
• boys imitated physical aggression more while girls imitated verbal aggression more
• thus showing that aggression can be learned from models
• and the gender of the role model has some significance

Question 5

Bandura (1965) - evaluation

Answer 5

Strengths:
- supports SLT

Weaknesses:

• ethical issues: children are very young + exposure to aggressive behaviour
• low ecological validity: lab study + aggression is artificial

Question 6

Wells-Wilbon and Holland (2001) - Process

Answer 6

Participants: 55 African-American children of 10-12 years from a lower socioeconomic background

• PROJECT 2000 was an organization tutoring young inner-city African-Americans (particularly males)
• African-American men were Teacher Assistants, to act as
  mentors and provide positive role models
• influence of models on participants were assessed via interviews and observation

Question 7

Wells-Wilbon and Holland (2001) - Findings and Conclusion

Answer 7

• students stated that the TAs taught the youngsters good moral values and important life skills
• boys likely felt closer to TAs due to ethnic and gender similarities
• shows that behaviour, attitudes, and values can be learnt through imitation
• models exhibiting positive feelings can also induce positivity in the observer

Question 8

Wells-Wilbon and Holland (2001) - Evaluation

Answer 8

Strengths:

• resulted in rich qualitative data generated from large number of participants
• cultural specificity

Weaknesses:

• cultural specificity
• gender imbalance
• uncontrolled (potentially confounding) variables (e.g. children’s relationships with family)