Social Learning theory

Question 1

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

Albert Bandura(1961) and the SLT

Answer 2

Learning occurs from OBSERVING others.
The mind, behaviour and environment all play a role in learning behaviour.
This deals with the major criticism of Behaviourist approach, which ignores mental processes, by taking account of cognitive processes

Question 3

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 3

We learn through MODELLING- Modelling involves learning through the observation of other people(models), which may lead to imitation(repetition) of the behaviour.
Only if behaviour is seen to be rewarded.

Question 4

Role of mediational processes: four conditions for social learning

Answer 4

1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Motor reproduction
4. Motivation

Question 5

Learning of behaviour conditions for social learning

Answer 5

Attention: the extent to which we notice certain behaviours
Retention: The individual remembers what they’ve observed

Question 6

Performance of behaviour conditions for social learning

Answer 6

Motor reproduction: The individual replicates the behaviour shown by the model
Motivation: The individual seeks to demonstrate the behaviour they’ve observed

Question 7

Identification: types of models

Answer 7

Live models - physically present in our environment e.g. mother, teacher, friend
Symbolic models e.g. people in films, books, cartoons. Symbolic modelling has a greater effect on cultures where media is widely available.

Question 8

Bandura method- imitation of aggressive models

Answer 8

1. 36 girls and 36 boys with a mean age of 52 months took part in the study. The study had a match participant design(children were matched on ratings of aggressive behaviour shown at their nursery school) and had three conditions.
2. First condition - children observed aggressive adult models playing with a Bobo doll.
3. Second condition - children observed non-aggressive models playing with other toys
4. Third condition - children had no exposure to models: their behaviour was observed for 20 minutes in a room containing aggressive toys and non-aggressive toys.

Question 9

Bandura et al results

Answer 9

1. Children exposed to aggressive models imitated a lot of their aggressive behaviour.
2. Children in the non-aggressive and controlled condition showed barely any aggressive behaviour.
3. Aggressive behaviour was slightly higher in the control condition than in the non-aggressive condition

Question 10

Bandura et al conclusion

Answer 10

Aggressive behaviour is learned through imitation of others behaving aggressively

Question 11

Bandura et al evaluation

Answer 11

Strict control of variables - reliability and replicability

Question 12

Negative Bandura et al evaluations

Answer 12

Low ecological validity - participants not in a natural situation
Limited sample - difficult to generalise results
Ethical problem - encouraging aggression in children

Question 13

Application - video nasties

Answer 13

Cumberbatch(2001)- video nasties are more likely to frighten children than to make them aggressive towards others
Social deprivation, child abuse and early exposure to violence at home

Question 14

Real world application - Akers(1998)

Answer 14

Akers(1998) suggests the probability of someone engaging in criminal activity increases when they’re exposed to models who commit crime and identify with them and develop the expectation of positive consequences of criminal behaviour

Question 15

Positive of social learning theory - the importance of cognitive factors in learning

Answer 15

Neither classic nor operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own

Humans and many animals store information about the behaviour of others, and use this to make judgements about when it’s appropriate to perform certain actions - more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes.

Question 16

Negative evaluation of Bobo Doll - Over-reliance on evidence from lab studies

Answer 16

Behaviour of children were observed in lab settings-
Demand characteristics
Bobo doll - were they behaving in the right way?
What does it tell us about every day life?

Question 17

Negative evaluation(Social learning theory)- underestimates the influence of biological factors

Answer 17

Boys were more aggressive in the Bobo doll experiments than girls(hormonal factors - levels of testosterone)
Van Goozen et al(1994)- aggression in participants who were transitioning to another gender:
35 female-to-male and 15 male-to-female people completed questionnaires to assess proneness to aggression.
Before and after receiving hormone treatment to change gender.
Female-to-male reported increased aggressive proneness
Flanagan(2000)- testosterone is primary cause of aggression
Serotonin and MAOA gene - people with a low level of this gene were producing a low level of serotonin: people more aggressive

Question 18

Evaluation - cultural differences in behaviour

Answer 18

Margaret Mead(1935) found the Arapesh is an example of a non-aggressive culture in which aggression is not admired(reinforced( or modelled by adults
The Mundugmor(Biwat) shows the opposite pattern, in which violence is the norm, and status is determined by the amount of aggression shown.
Tchambuil- women were impersonal and dominant, and men were less responsible and emotionally dependent
Children understood their role in society and by gender