Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Social Learning Theory

Answer 1

• A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors

Question 2

Modelling

Answer 2

• From the observer’s perspective modelling is the imitating the behaviour of a role model

Question 3

Observation

Answer 3

• To observe is to watch or listen to behaviour in others

Question 4

Imitation

Answer 4

• Copying behaviour previously observed in others
• In SLT imitation is a selective process and only models with key characteristics are likely to be imitated

Question 5

Stage of social learning

Answer 5

• Attention
• Retention
• Reproduction
• Motivation

Question 6

Attention

Answer 6

• The cogntitive process of focusing on a stimulus
• In SLT the stimulus is the modelled behaviour

Question 7

Retention

Answer 7

• The cognitive process of storing the modelled behaviour in memory

Question 8

Reproduction

Answer 8

• The recall and enactment of the modelled behaviour in response to appropriate circumstances

Question 9

Motivation

Answer 9

• The force that drives a person to enact the behaviour
• In SLT this is the result of vicarious reinforcement

Question 10

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 10

• It is not directly experience but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour

Question 11

Strength of SLT

Answer 11

• One strength of SLT is that it is supported by studies
• Bandura’s study showed that children would imitate an aggressive model who demonstrated aggression against an inflatable doll especially if the model was the same sex as the observed and was rewarded for doing so
• This evidence supports Bandura’s claims that behaviour can be acquired by observation and imitation and that vicarious reinforcement affects the likelihood of the imitation

Question 12

Weakness of SLT

Answer 12

• One weakness of SLT is that there is competing research evidence
• There is evidence that genetic factors are also important in terms of learning. Kendler et al found that identical twins had high concordance rates in their aggression than non identical twins
• This suggest that individual difference in aggressiveness may be explained by genetic factors rather than just differences in modelling
• Therefore SLT may be an incomplete explanation for learning aggression