Social learning theory

Question 1

What is the social learning theory?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What is imitation?

Answer 2

Copying the behaviour of others

Question 2

What is identification?

Answer 2

When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model

Question 3

What is modelling?

Answer 3

Imitating the behaviour of a role model/ the demonstration of a specific behaviour that may be imitated by the observer

Question 3

What is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 3

Reinforcement that is NOT directly experienced, but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced

Question 3

What are mediational processes?

Answer 3

Cognitive factors that influence learning and come between a stimulus and response

Question 3

What was Bandura’s theory?

Answer 3

Behaviour is learned from experience- we learn through observation and imitation

Question 3

What are the four mediational processes?

Answer 3

Attention
Retention
Motor reproduction
Motivation

Question 3

What makes a role model?

Answer 3

Someone you can relate to- similar to you (e.g. gender), usually of higher status

Question 4

What did Bandura’s research show?

Answer 4

Children who were exposed to aggression towards a bobo doll, were more likely to be aggressive towards the doll

Question 5

What are the strengths of the social learning theory?

Answer 5

• Empirical evidence (Bandura)
• Range of real world applications (gender norms)
• Less determinist than behaviourist approach
• Recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning

Question 6

What are the limitations of the social learning theory?

Answer 6

• Ignores the role of biological factors
• Overreliance on lab studies, with demand characteristics (individuals subconsciously change their behaviour to fit the interpretation of the experiment)

Question 7

How is SLT applied in the real world?

Answer 7

• Role models and the process of trying to be like them (modelling)
• Gender norms/ behaviours
• Cultural norms

Question 8

What are the six processes of SLT?

Answer 8

• Identification and modelling
• Attention
• Retention
• Motor reproduction
• Motivation
• Vicarious reinforcement

Question 9

Who were the SLT psychologists?

Answer 9

Bandura

Question 10

Strength-
I= Recognises the importance of cognitive factors

Answer 10

D= Neither type of conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own. Humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements about when is appropriate to perform certain actions
E= Suggests SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of meditational processes

Question 11

Limitation-
I= Ignores biological factors

Answer 11

D= Although Bandura claimed natural biological differences influenced our learning potential, he thought that learning itself was determined by environment. Recent research suggests observational learning may be the result of mirror neurons in the brain, which allow us to empathise with and imitate others
E= Suggests biological influences on social learning were under-estimated

Question 12

Strength-
I= SIT principles have been applied to a range of real-world behaviours

Answer 12

D= Explains cultural differences in behaviours. Principles (modelling, imitation, reinforcement) account for how children learn from others around them, which explains how cultural norms are transmitted through particualr societies. Proves usesful in understanding gender roles
E= Increases value of approach as it accounts for real-world behaviours

Question 13

Limitation-
I= Contrived lab studies (evidence on which SLT was based was gathered through lab studies)

Answer 13

D= Bandura’s ideas developed through observation in a lab setting. Lab studies are criticised for their contrived nature where p’s respond to demand characteristics. In bobo doll study, it is believed children hit the doll as they thought it was expected
E= Suggests research tells us little about how children actually learn agression in real life

Question 14

Reciprocal determinism

Evaluation extra

Answer 14

Strength-
- We are influenced by our environment, but we exert an influence upon it through behaviour. Elements of choice show we have some free will. More realistic and flexible position