social learning theory

Question 1

who put forward SLT?

Answer 1

Bandura

Question 2

what did Bandura believe behaviour is learnt from?

Answer 2

much of our behaviour is learnt from experience like behaviourists however we learn through observation and imitation of others in social contexts - suggests learning occurs directly and indirectly

Question 3

what is vicarious reinforcment?

Answer 3

indirect learning - when an individual observes behaviour of others and imitates it when the behaviour is seen to be rewarded not punished

Question 4

why is SLT often called the bridge between behaviourism and the cognitive approach?

Answer 4

it focuses on how mental processes are involved in learning - we aren’t just responding to stimuli we use cognitive processes to decide what behaviour to carry out

Question 5

Bandura - 4 mediational processes

Answer 5

1. attention - the 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 a behaviour often determined by whether the behaviour is rewarded or punished

Question 6

Identiifcation

Answer 6

you are more likely to imitate behaviour of people who you identify with = role models - modelling

Question 7

who are role models?

Answer 7

people with whom we share similar characteristics, are attractive to us or have a higher status

Question 8

Bandura - bobo doll

Answer 8

recorded behaviour of children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a bobo doll - when children who saw aggressive behaviour where with the doll they also performed aggressive behaviours - when children saw adults be non-aggressive they were also non-aggressive towards the bobo doll

Question 9

Bandura and Walters

Answer 9

showed videos to children where an adult behaved aggressively - one group saw the adult praise for their behaviour - one group saw the adult punished for their aggression - one group saw aggression without any consequence - first group showed more aggression than the second

Question 10

SLT strengths:

Answer 10

1. explains cultural differences in behaviour - SLT can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies.
2. places importance on cognitive factors of learning - SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of learning by recognising mediational processes

Question 11

SLT limitations:

Answer 11

1. over-reliance on evidence from lab studies - lacks ecological validity
2. underestimates the influence of biological factors - reductionist = focus on one area and ignore others