social learning theory

Question 1

social learning theory states that we learn through observation
it suggests humans and animals learn through observing others around them and subsequently imitating and modelling the behaviour. the individuals that are observed are called role models.

Question 2

the four processes in social learning according to bandora 1977

Answer 2

1) attention- must be paid to the role model. more likely to pay attention when role model is same sex or similar to ourselves
2) retention- individual must then retain or store what they have attended to in their memory. eg in mental images or verbal descriptors
3) reproduction- showing off the modelled behaviour, reproduction of what has been observed
4) motivation- reason to carry out the behaviour eg a reward
vicarious reinforcement!!

Question 3

an observer is more likely to reproduce the models behaviour if the consequences are rewarding for the model
VR- learning from success or mistakes of others.
others getting rewarded will motivate individuals to imitate behaviour.

Question 4

evidence

Answer 4

:) supported by bandoras studies which showed that children would imitate an aggressive role model, who demonstrated aggression agains t an inflatable doll, especially if the model was the same sex and rewarded for doing so.
this supports bandura’s claims that behaviour can be acquired by observation and imitation and that the likelihood of imitation is affected by vicarious reinforcement and the characteristics of the model. this provides credibility to the theory.
CA= that said, it is not ecologically valid. this means that the research may not adequately support the role of observational learning in real life.

Question 5

application

Answer 5

• slt has made significant contribution to the psychology of aggression and gender development and has formed the basis for a range of treaments such as phobias.

Question 6

S/W

Answer 6

:( have been criticised as being reductionist; reducing behaviour to the mere observation and imitation of others. it greatly underestimates the role of bio factors, including genetic differences and instincts.
:) unlike classical and operant, slt does allow for individual differences and acknowledged that cognitive and motivational factors can influence behaviour as factors reflected in the four processes suggested by bandura. this makes the theory less reductionist in comparison to the other two.

Question 7

alternative

Answer 7

some behaviours may be biologically driven, for example behaviours such as phobias are not learnt through consequence but through evolution.