Social Learning Theory

Question 1

What are the 4 meditational processes and their definitions?

Answer 1

1. Attention - the extent to which we notice certain behaviours
2. Retention - how well the behaviour is remembered
3. Motor Reproduction - the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour.
4. Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour.

Question 2

What are meditational processes?

Answer 2

Factors that affect the production of behaviour.

Question 3

How does a person become a role model?

Answer 3

If they possess similar characterics to the observer, are attractive or have high status.

Question 4

Define modelling

Answer 4

Imitating the behaviour of a role model

Question 5

Define Imitation

Answer 5

Copying others behaviour

Question 6

Define identification

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Define vicarous reinforcment

Answer 7

Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour

Question 8

Describe Bandura’s bodo doll experiment

Answer 8

• Bandura et al. (1961) recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll (see right).
• The adult hit the doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it.
• When these children were later observed playing with various toys, including a Bobo doll, they behaved much more aggressively towards the doll than those who had observed a non-aggressive adult.

Question 9

What are the evaluations of SLT?

Answer 9

• Evidence gathered from lab studies.
• Real-world application
• Underestimates the influence of biological factors.
• Recognises importance of cognitive factors in learning.

Question 10

Evaluation of SLT: Evidence gathered from lab studies

Answer 10

• Limitation: Evidence gathered form lab studies.
• Bandura’s ideas were developed from observations of childrens’ behaviour in an artificial lab settings.
• PPs may respond to demand characteristics - purpose of Bodo doll is to hit it - Children were behaving in a way that they thought was expected.
• Tells us little about how children learn aggression

Question 11

Evaluation: Real-world application.

Answer 11

• Strength: Real world application.
• SLT could explain cultural differences in behaviour.
• SLT priniciples such as modelling, imitation etc. can show how children learn from people around them.
• This could explain how cultural norms are passed down through different groups.
• This increases value of the approach as it can account for real-world behaviours from different cultures.

Question 12

Evaluation: Underestimates the influence of biological factors

Answer 12

• Limitation: Underestimates the influence of biological factors.
• 1 consistent finding of the ‘Bobo doll’ research was that boys were more aggressive than girls
• This may be explained by hormonal factors eg. differences in levels of testosterone
• Therefore an important influence of behaviour isn’t accounted for in SLT

Question 13

Evaluation: Recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning.

Answer 13

• Strength: Recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning.
• Classical and operant conditioing cannot explain learning on their own.
• Humans and animals store info about behaviour from others.
• And use it to make judgements whether to perform certain actions or not.
• Bandura identified attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation -
• SLT provides more comprehensive explanation by recognising roles of the meditation processes.