Social Learning Theory

Question 1

What did bandura say

Answer 1

Children learn and copy aggressive behaviour by observing adults behaving aggressively

Question 2

He noted 4 stages of behavioural learning

Answer 2

1. Attention: child notices behaviour of another person. Likely to be someone close to them
2. Retention: the child retains what they have observed in their memory so they can use it when an opportunity occurs
3. Reproduction: they copy the behaviour when the opportunity arises
4. Motivation: depending on the outcome (positive or negative reinforcement) children will either imitate the behaviour or resist

Question 3

Reinforcement

Answer 3

Behaviour may be repeated or resisted

Positive reinforcement: the behaviour is repeated
Negative reinforcement: the behaviour is not repeated
Vicarious reinforcement: copying behaviours that we see others receive rewards for

Question 4

Bobo doll experiment

Answer 4

1. Children were shown adults being aggressive
2. Adults were either rewarded or had no consequence for their behaviour
3. Children would copy the aggressive behaviour of adult
4. Results showed children learned aggressive behaviour through observation. They were more likely to imitate the rewarded one

Question 5

Criticisms

Answer 5

- theory does not take into account of individual’s biological state