Social Learning theory

Question 1

What does social learning theory suggest ?

Answer 1

Learning is through observing a model and imitating a model

Question 2

Modelling

Answer 2

Process of imitating behaviour of role model
Role model is precisely showing a observer behaviour to be imitated

Question 3

Identification

Answer 3

Induvidual identities themself with a role model due to similarity or status
Wants to be like role model

Question 4

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 4

If a person observes model rewarded for a particular behaviour
It increases chance observer will imitate behaviour to get same reward

Question 5

Imitation

Answer 5

Individual observes behaviour from role model and copies it

Question 6

What are the 4 non meditational processes?

Answer 6

Modelling, identification, vicarious reinforcement and
imitation

Question 7

What are the 5 meditational processes

Answer 7

Attention, Retention,
Reproduction,
Reinforcements, motivation

Question 8

Attention

Answer 8

Learning occurs when they attend a models behaviour
Attention must be captured

Question 9

Retention

Answer 9

Must store memory of behaviour in LTM allowing behaviour to be remembered

Especially if behaviour is observed repeatedly the more memorable it will be and easy to store

Question 10

Reproduction

Answer 10

Individuals must have skills and capabilities to reproduce models behaviour, more likely if behaviour is easy to replicate
Behaviour is more likely to be repeated if it simple

Question 11

Motivation and reinforcements

Answer 11

Individual may be motivated to imitate the behaviour because they have seen someone else rewarded for that behaviour (Vicarious reinforcement)

Or they identify with the model

Question 12

Banduras doll study aim, sample and procedure

Answer 12

Aim - see whether aggressive behaviour could be learned though observation

Sample-36 boys and 36 girls

Procedure - controlled enviorment

Non aggressive condition children observed models assemble toys in a quiet manner ignoring the doll

Aggressive condition children observed model acting aggressively towards the doll

Question 13

Banduras doll study findings and conclusions

Answer 13

Finding - children in aggressive conditions had significantly higher physical and verbal aggression scores

Boys more likely to imitate aggression than girls (boys more aggressive than girls)

Conclusion - observation of behaviour can lead to imitative learning

People are more likely to imitate male aggressive models as physical aggression is perceived as more of a male appropriate behaviour

Question 14

Social learning theory Ao3
strength

Answer 14

Uses scientific methods

So it uses scientific enquiry to investigate human behaviour

Based on objective and empirical techniques such as Banduras doll lab experiment

Which had high control over extraneous variables such as role model modelling same types of aggression for each child

Therefore could be argued this increases overall internal validity of social learning theory as explanation for human behaviour

Raising psychology’s scientific status

Question 15

Social learning theory Ao3
strength

Answer 15

Practical applications

Principles of the theory that behaviour is caused by observing and imitating a model

Which has been used by the government to control the media portray certain behaviours

E.g restricted advertisement of cigarettes, alcohol and gambling in order to reduce negative behaviour

Therefore social learning theory as an explanation of human behaviour is an important part of applied psychology

As it helps to promote positive behaviours in the real world

Question 16

Social learning theory Ao3
strength

Answer 16

Praised for going beyond behaviourist approach

Considers humans have element of free will in learning (soft determinism)

All behaviour is a result of external causes

(Learning through imitating a model)

As individuals we also have the ability to
make conscious decisions about whether we or not to imitate behaviour and who we chose to model behaviour from

Thus social learning theory as an explanation of human behaviour could be considered superior to approaches that take a hard determinism stance