Social Learning Theory

Question 1

What assumptions are made in Social Learning Theory?

Answer 1

• Suggests people learn through observation and imitation of others, suggest learning occurs directly through classical and operant conditioning but ALSO indirectly

Question 2

What is Vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 2

• Imitation only occurs if behaviour observed is reinforced positively, this is vicarious reinforcement
• learner not only observes the behaviour but also the consequence of the behaviour

Question 3

What is the ‘role of mediational processes’?

Answer 3

• SLT described as bridge between behaviourist and cognitive approaches as it focuses on how cognitive factors intervene with behaviour to see if a new response is acquired
  Four Mediational Processes:
  Attention - extent to which we notice certain behaviours
  Retention - how well a behaviour is remembered
  Motor Reproduction - Ability of observed to perform the behaviour
  Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour (often determined by if the behaviour is rewarded or punished)
• The first two relate to the learning of behaviour and the last two about the performance
• learning and performance doesn’t need to occur at the same time Observed behaviours may be stored by the observer and reproduced at a later time

Question 4

What is Identification?

Answer 4

• More likely to imitate somebody you identify with, the person you identify with is called a role model and the process of imitating a role model is called modelling
• a role model possesses similar characteristics to the observer/have high status
• Role models may not be physically present in the environment

Question 5

Who researched SLT and what was the research?

Answer 5

• Bandura completed 2 studies Study A:
• (1961) recorded behaviour of young children who watched adults attack a bobo doll e.g hitting with hammer
• Children who observed an aggressive adult were more violent towards the doll than those who observed a non-aggressive adult
  Study B:
• (Bandura and Walters 1963) showed children video of attack bobo adult. first group saw the adult told off, second praised and third with no consequence
• group 2 were most aggressive followed by 3 and then 1

Question 6

What is one strength of SLT that references cognitive factors?

Answer 6

• Recognises the importance of cognitive factors (conditioning can’t fully explain learning). Humans/animals store info about behaviour of others and make judgements - Bandura agrees
• More comprehensive than other explanations

Question 7

What is one limitation of SLT? What does it not reference?

Answer 7

• too little reference to biological factors. Although Bandura claimed natural bio differences influenced learning potential - learning itself is influenced by environment
• recent research suggests observational learning may be result of mirror neurons in the brain (allows us to empathise with others).

Question 8

What is one limitation referencing generalisability?

Answer 8

• Evidence based on lab studies. Bandura observed young children’s behaviour in the lab, contrived nature causes demand characteristics - Bobo doll’s purpose is to be struck and so children were behaving how they thought was expected