Social Learning Theory

Question 1

What is the 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

What is imitation?

Answer 2

Copying the behaviour of others

Question 3

What is identification?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What is modelling from the observers perspective?

Answer 4

Imitating the behaviour of a role model

Question 5

What is modelling from the role models perspective?

Answer 5

The precise demonstration of a specific behaviour that may be imitated by an observer

Question 6

What is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 6

Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour. This is a key factor in imitation.

Question 7

What are mediational processes?

Answer 7

Cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response

Question 8

What did Albert Bandura do?

Answer 8

Proposed social learning theory as a development of the behaviourist approach

Question 9

What did Bandura say about conditioning?

Answer 9

Classical and operant conditioning could not account for all human learning - there are important mental processes that mediate between stimulus and response

Question 10

What does the social learning theory propose?

Answer 10

People learn through observation and imitation of others
Learning occurs directly through classical and operant conditioning but also indirectly

Question 11

What are the four mediational stages (in order)?

Answer 11

Attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation

Question 12

What is attention?

Answer 12

The extent to which we notice certain behaviours

Question 13

What is retention?

Answer 13

How well the behaviour is remembered

Question 14

What is motor reproduction?

Answer 14

The ability of the observer to perform the behaviour

Question 15

What is motivation?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

A model is most likely to be imitated if…? (5 examples)

Answer 16

• liked, powerful and respected
• same sex as individual
• rewarded for behaviour
• individual is directly reinforced for behaviour
• individual thinks that they are capable of performing the observed actions

Question 17

Evaluate the social learning theory (cognitive factors)

Answer 17

Strength - recognises importance of cognitive factors
Neither classical nor operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own
Suggests that SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning through mediational processes

Question 18

Evaluate the social learning theory (biological factors)

Answer 18

Weakness - SLT criticised for making too little reference to the influence of biological factors
Bandura claimed natural biological differences influenced our learning potential, although he thought learning itself was determined by the environment
Suggests biological influences were under emphasised in SLT

Question 19

Evaluate the social learning theory (real world)

Answer 19

Strength - SLT principles have been applied to a range of real world behaviours
SLT is able to explain cultural differences in behaviour such as modelling and imitation
This increases the value of the approach as it can account for real world behaviour