SLT Evaluation Flashcards
What is a Limitation of SLT? (too much lab)
1) There’s an over-reliance on lab studies to provide support for approach
2) In Bandura’s study children observed in controlled environment so demand characteristics
3) Children may’ve been doing what they believe was expected
4) Tells us little about how children learn aggression in real life, less applicability
What is another Limitation of SLT? (deterministic)
1) SLT is often considered deterministic, as it suggests that behaviors are shaped by our environment and the role models we observe, rather than empowering individuals with free will. According to the theory, behavior is influenced by external factors like reinforcement and observation, which can limit an individual’s ability to freely choose or change their actions. This implies that behaviors are determined by the attitudes and behaviors of those around us, making it more difficult for individuals to change their behavior without new influences or role models.
What is a Strength of SLT? (Africa)
1) SLT considers mediational processes, such as attention, retention, and motivation, which makes it less deterministic (soft determinism) compared to other approaches like the behaviorist approach.
2) While behaviorism suggests behavior is solely shaped by external stimuli and reinforcement, SLT acknowledges the role of cognitive factors in the learning process.
3) This flexibility allows for a more balanced view of human behavior, recognizing that while our environment influences us, we still have an active role in how we learn and respond to it.
4) This makes SLT a more comprehensive and realistic approach to understanding behavior.
What is another Strength of SLT? (strong evidence - Bandura)
1) Social Learning Theory (SLT) is supported by strong evidence, particularly through Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment, which demonstrated that children can learn behaviour by observing adults, especially when the observed behaviour is rewarded or reinforced. 2) This emphasizes that learning doesn’t only occur through direct reinforcement but also through cognitive processes such as attention, retention, and motivation.
3) SLT provides a comprehensive understanding of how complex behaviours, including social and emotional responses, are learned by observing others.
4) This makes the theory not only reliable but also highly applicable in real-world settings, such as family dynamics and media influence.
What is the main difference between SLT and Behaviourism?
1) SLT - plays active role in learning
2) Behaviourism - Learner simply responds passively to environment
