Social learning theory

Question 1

Social learning theory

Answer 1

Suggests we learn through observations and imitation of others
- Imitation = copying of behaviour of others

Question 2

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 2

Reinforcement isn’t directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour

Question 3

Mediational processes

Answer 3

• Factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response
  1) Attention - extent to which we notice certain behaviours
  2) Retention - how well behaviour is remembered
  3) Motor reproduction - ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
  4) Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour

Question 4

Identification

Answer 4

• More likely to imitate if you identify with the person
• Person they identify with = Role model
• Person is likely to become a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or have a high status
• Live model = people who are present in our environment
• Symbolic models = people who are present in the media

Question 5

Bandura’s research

Answer 5

• Studied children who watched an adult behave aggressively towards a bobo doll - adult hit the doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it
• Children were later observed playing with various toys including a bobo doll - They behaved much more aggressively towards the doll and he other toys compared to those who had observed a non-aggressive adult
• Second study
• showed videos to children of adults either being aggressive towards the bobo doll and being praised for it or being punished for it
• third group was a control where they saw the aggression without any consequence
• 1st group = lots of aggression
• 2nd group = not much aggression
• 3rd group = moderate aggression

Question 6

SLT - evaluation - strength

Answer 6

• Real world app
• explains cultural differences in behaviour
• SLT principles (e.g imitation and identification) can account for how children learn from others around them, including the media
• Can explain how social/cultural norms are transmitted through societies
• Increases value of approach

Question 7

SLT - evaluation - limitation

Answer 7

• Contrived lab studies
• lab studies are criticised for their contrived nature where p’s may respond to demand characteristics
• Children may have thought that they were expected to hurt the doll as that is what they were shown
• suggests research may tell us little about how children learn aggression in everyday life