Social Learning Theory

Question 1

What did Albert Bandura propose in the 1960s?

Answer 1

We do not only learn from things that we directly experience, but also through modelling, observation and imitation of others.

Question 2

Who are we susceptible to influence from?

Answer 2

1. Those we admire (parents and teachers).
2. Peer Influence
3. The Media

Question 3

What does the social learning theory not believe in?

Answer 3

A direct stimulus response relationship.

Question 4

What does the social lerning theory believe about the outcomes of our actions?

Answer 4

By thinking about the outcomes of our actons, we can begin to be responsible for out own actions.

Question 5

List the steps of observational learning.

Answer 5

1. Modelling.
2. Identification.
3. Imitation.
4. Reinforcement.
5. Vicarious Reinforcement.

Question 6

Explain what is meant by ‘modelling’.

Answer 6

When a person performs a behaviour and is seen by another person.

Question 7

Explain what is meant by ‘identification’.

Answer 7

Associating with the qualitites, characteristics and views of specific role models who possess qualtiites that individuals would like for themsleves.

Question 8

Explain what is meant by ‘imitation’.

Answer 8

Copying or reproducing behaviour that has been learned through observation.

Question 9

Explain what is meant by ‘reifnorcement’.

Answer 9

The consequences of the action for the learner. Desirable consequences lead to the behaviour being reproduced.

Question 10

Explain what is meant by ‘vicarious reinforcement’.

Answer 10

The process by which we learn by observing the rewards and punishments gained by others, and decide on that basiswhether or not to copy them.

Question 11

What are mediational processes?

Answer 11

They allow the individual to judge if they can and should replicate the behaviour they have observed.

Question 12

Are mediational processes the cognitvie or behavioural aspect of the social learning theory?

Answer 12

Cognitive.

Question 13

List the four mediational processes proposed by Bandura.

Answer 13

1. Attention.
2. Retention.
3. Reproduction.
4. Motivation.

Question 14

Define ‘attention’.

Answer 14

Whether we notice the behaviour.

Question 15

Define ‘retention’.

Answer 15

Whether we remember the behaviour.

Question 16

Define ‘reproduction’.

Answer 16

Whether we are able to perform the behaviour.

Question 17

Define ‘motivation’.

Answer 17

Whether we perceived rewards outweigh the percieved costs.

Question 18

What was the aim of Bandura’s Baby Doll Experiment?

Answer 18

To demonstrate that aggression can be learned through modelling.

Question 19

Explain the method of Bandura’s Baby Doll Experiment.

Answer 19

• 72 children aged between 3 and 6 were ut into one of three groups for 10 minutes.
• Each group had an equal number of boys and girls. Half saw male models, half saw female models.
• Aggressive Model ; Played in a room while an adult hit an shouted at Bobo Doll.
• Non-Aggressive Model ; Played in a room while an adult played quietly with a construction set.
• Control ; Did not see a model.
• CHildren were then observed while they spent 20 mins alone with a range of aggressive and non-aggressive toys, including the Bobo Doll.

Question 20

State the conclusion of the Bobo Doll Experiment.

Answer 20

Aggression can be learned though modelling.

Question 21

What does the Bobo Doll Experiment support?

Answer 21

Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, which suggests people learn through observation, modelling, imitation, punishment and rewards.

Question 22

List the strengths of the Social Learning Theory.

Answer 22

1. Practical Applications.
2. Research Support.

Question 23

List the criticims of the Social Learning Theory.

Answer 23

1. Cause and Effect.
2. Complexity of Behaviour.

Question 24

Explain what is meant by the evaluation point ‘practical application’.

Answer 24

• Stregnth is its application to health campaigns.
• The percieved similarity to a model in anti-alchol advertisement was positivley related to the message’s effectiveness.
• Health campaigns try to match characters that model that desired behaviour with the target audience, to increase the level of identification to bring about greater social learning.

Question 25

Explain what is meant by the evaluation point ‘research support’.

Answer 25

• Strengths is its research support for identification.
• Humans are more likely to imitate computer generated ‘virtual’ humans who were similar to the real participant, in comparison to those who were dissimilar.
• Participants who observed a similar virtual model exercising engaged in more exercise in the 24 hours following th experiment in comparison to those who viewed dissimilar modelling exercising.
• Demonstrates the importance of identification in SLT.
• Suggests that humans are more likely to imitate the behaviour of models who are similar rather than dissimilar.

Question 26

Explain what is meant by evaluation point ‘cause and effect’.

Answer 26

• It is argued that young people who possess deviant attitudes and values are more likely to seek out peers with similar attitudes and behaviorus as they are more fun to be with.
• It could also be argued that humans do not observe and imitate delinquent behaviours, but those with delinquent attitudes seek out simialr peers.
• Suggests that SLT may not be the cause of delinquent behaviour and other explanations may account for learning negative behaviours.

Question 27

Explain what is meant by the evalution point ‘complexity of behaviour’.

Answer 27

• SLT explains the development of gender specfic behaviour, as a result of gender specific role models.
• However, children are exposed to many different influences, which interact in a complex way.
• It is difficult to separate the effect of SLT from many other factors that also influence behaviour.