SLT approach-EVAL Flashcards
One strength of SLT is that it considers COGNITIVE factors which the behaviourist approach didn’t.
The cognitive element of slt is the MEDIATIONAL processes which means it takes an INTERACTIONIST approach to explaining behaviour (Enviro+cog) as opposed to the environmentally reductionist approach of behaviourism.
One strength of SLT is the control of lab experiments
Produced research through controlled LAB experiments with the BOBO dolls. Control of EXTRAN variables, which RAISES the IV as we’re measuring SLT like we intended to.
However, Demand characteristics may have been a nissue in the bobo doll study. EXPLAIN
Study was ARTIFICIAL in nature. Could just be that the children were just ACTING in the way they thought was EXPECTED of them.
Therefore this could have been CONFOUNDING lowering the IV of the study and not actually measuring learning through Obs, imitation and vicarious reinforcement.
ALSO means findings here may NOT relate to REAL LIFE. Suggesting low ECOLOGICAL validity of the study and slt approach to learning behaviour. They may observe and imitate aggressive behaviour in an artificial setting, but not IRL.
One weakness is that it underestimated the influence of biological factors
SLT does not consider any BIO factors that could be involved in learning. The boys were consistently more aggressive than the girls irrespective of the environmental situation so it could be suggested that there may be something BIOLOGICALLY different between boys and girls such as levels of TESTOSTERONE.
Higher levels of T are found in boys and it’s LINKED to aggressive behaviour.
Therefore, this is a weakness of the SLT approach as biology is NOT considered, though it may have a LARGE impact on our behaviour.
One strength is that the SLT approach is LESS deterministic than the behaviourist approach.
SLT shows SOFT determinism rather than HARD enviro determinism (bio approach)
This means SLT acknowledges an element of FEE WILL in terms of choice through the MEDIATIONAL PROCESSES, where we can DECIDE whether to imitate a behaviour or not.
Strength as it does incorporate free will instead of ignoring it, but PROBLEMATIC as it means we don’t have the same CAUSE+EFFECT as would with hard determinism. Causation is a key element of science, by taking a SOFT determinism approach SLT would have LESS scientific credibility.
