social learning theory

Question 1

what is 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

who proposed social learning theory?

Answer 2

Bandura (1961).

Question 3

name the 3 key assumptions of social learning theory.

Answer 3

learning occurs indirectly - through observation and imitation.
learning is related to consequences of behaviour - vicarious reinforcement.
mediational cognitive processes play a role in behaviour.

Question 4

outline social learning theory.

Answer 4

Albert Bandura agreed with the behaviourists in that he believed all behaviour is learned from experience.

However his Social Learning theory (SLT) proposed that we learn through observation and imitation of others in a social context, thus social learning.

It states that we learn directly and indirectly, through classical and operant conditioning.

Question 5

define imitation.

Answer 5

copying the behaviour of a role model.

Question 6

describe vicarious reinforcement.

Answer 6

For indirect learning to take place the individual observes the behaviour of others.

The learner may imitate this behaviour but this only occurs when the behaviour is seen to be rewarding (reinforced) rather than punished - i.e. vicarious reinforcement occurs because the reinforcement isn’t directly experienced, but occurs through observing someone’s else being reinforced for a behaviour.

Thus the individual observes the behaviour, but most importantly observes the consequences of the behaviour.

Question 7

describe the role of cognitive mediating processes.

Answer 7

This approach is described as a bridge between traditional behaviourism and the cognitive approach.

The mental processes that the approach talks about help mediate in the learning process to determine whether a behaviour is worth acquiring.

Four mental or mediational processes in learning were identified by Bandura:​

Attention - whether the behaviour is noticed.
Retention - whether the behaviour is remembered.​
Motor reproduction - being able to do it.
Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour.

The first two relate to the learning of behaviour, the latter two are to do with the performance of behaviour.

Unlike the behavioural approach the learning and performance of behaviour don’t have to occur together. They can be learnt, stored and then used at a later date.

Question 8

name the four cognitive mediating processes.

Answer 8

attention.
retention.
motor production.
motivation.

Question 9

outline the cognitive mediating process - attention.

Answer 9

the extent to which we notice certain behaviour.​

Question 10

outline the cognitive mediating process - retention.

Answer 10

how well the behaviour is remembered.​

Question 11

outline the cognitive mediating process - motor reproduction.

Answer 11

observer to perform the behaviour.

Question 12

outline the cognitive mediating process - motivation.

Answer 12

the will to perform the behaviour, which is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished. ​

Question 13

describe identification.

Answer 13

People, especially children, are more likely to imitate someone they identify with - process called identification.

the people they identify with are called role models and the process of imitating a role is called modelling.

A person becomes a role-model if they possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are attractive and have high status.

They may not be physically present, so this is why the media has important implications on behaviour.

Question 14

what is meant by the term modelling?

Answer 14

from an observers perspective - imitating the behaviour of a role model.

role models perspective - precise demonstration of a specific behaviour that may be imitated by an observer.

Question 15

what is meant by mediational processes?

Answer 15

cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response.

Question 16

what was the aim of Banduras experiment?

Answer 16

To test the idea that children could learn to become aggressive through imitating another person behaving aggressively.​

Question 17

outline the study by Bandura (1961) as support for social learning theory.

Answer 17

In Banduras basic procedure, children aged between 3 and 5 saw an adult behave aggressively towards a large inflatable doll with a hammer, shouting abuse at it.

when these children were later observed playing with various toys, including a bobo doll, they behaved much more aggressively toward the doll and the other toys than those who had observed a non-aggressive adult.

the children imitating the aggression towards the doll after observing an adult model that behaviour provides empirical evidence for the theory proposed by SLT that we learn through observation and imitation of others, thus supporting SLT.

Question 18

outline Bandura and Walters (1963) study to support vicarious reinforcement.

Answer 18

showed videos to children where an adult behaved aggressively towards the bobo doll.

one group of children saw the adult praised for their behaviour (‘well done’).

a second group saw the adult punished for their aggression by being told off.

a third control group saw the aggression without any consequence.

when given their own bobo doll to play with, the first group showed much more aggression, followed by the third, and then the second.

provides evidence for the role of vicarious reinforcement. the child observed the consequences of the behaviour, and was more likely to imitate this behaviour when the behaviour was seen to be rewarded (reinforced) rather than punished, or had no consequence.

therefore supports social learning theory.

Question 19

discuss over reliance on lab studies as a limitation of research into SLT.

Answer 19

a limitation of most of Bandura’s observations of behaviour is that they were conducted using lab experiments.

Lab studies are often criticised for their artificial nature where participants may respond to demand characteristics, thus if participants do this the behaviour they display may not actually tell us much about behaviour.

this is a criticism of the ‘Bobo Doll’ study Bandura conducted, as the main purpose of the doll is to strike it, so the children may simply have been behaving in the way they thought was expected.

this suggests that the research may tell us very little about how children actually learn aggression in real life, thus lacks mundane realism.

HOWEVER -
social learning theory principles have been applied to a range of real-world behaviours.

SLT can explain cultural differences in behaviour. principles such as modelling, imitation and reinforcement can account for how children learn from others around them, including the media, and this can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through societies.

this increases the value of the approach as it can account for real world behaviour.

HOWEVER, despite SLT recognising culture influencing behaviour, research into SLT is subject to culture bias. the samples of ptp have been from western, educated demographics.

this does reduce the validity of research into SLT and suggests issues with generalisations to collectivist cultures, so support for SLT is limited.

Question 20

discuss cognitive factors as a strength of SLT.

Answer 20

one strength of SLT is that unlike the behaviourists, it recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning.

Neither classical nor operant conditioning can give an adequate account of learning on their own. Humans and many animals store information about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions.

this suggests that SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes.

HOWEVER-
SLT has been criticised for making little reference to biological factors on social learning.

one finding by Bandura was that boys were more aggressive than girls regardless of the specifics of the investigation.

This could be down to hormonal factors, such as higher levels of testosterone in boys.

This important biological factor is not accounted for in the SLT, suggesting biological influences on social learning were underestimated in the approach.

Question 21

outline other issues and debates in SLT.

Answer 21

Nomothetic - evidence from lab studies to generate quantitative data - used to generate laws of behaviour (through vicarious reinforcement, observation etc).

Nurture- suggests behaviour is learnt via classical and operant conditioning and doesn’t account for biological factors.

Environmental Determinism – behaviour is learned from social environment (vicarious reinforcement).
HOWEVER, bandura did suggest that we are not merely influenced by our environment but also have influence on it by the behaviours we choose to perform - element of choice suggests there is some free will in how we behave.
contrasts the behaviourist approach which denies possibility of free will.

reductionist – reduced behaviour to being learned from vicarious reinforcement, however does share elements also of the cognitive approach.