Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What is vicarious reinforcement AO1 ?
When children/adults observe other people’s behavior and take note of its consequences. Behavior that is seen to be rewarded is more likely to be copied.
What are the mediational processes AO1 ?
1 - Attention - whether behavior is noticed.
2 - Retention - whether behavior is remembered.
3 - Motor reproduction - being able to do it.
4 - Motivation - the will to perform the behavior.
The first two relate to the learning, the last two to the performance.
What is identification AO1 ?
People are more likely to imitate the behavior of those with whom they identify. Such role models are similar to the observer, attractive and have a high status.
What was Bandura’s study stating AO1 ?
His bobo doll study was stating that children are more likely to imitate (model0 acts of violence if they observe these in an adult role model. If the adult role model were to act non-aggressive to the bobo doll the children would also imitate this behavior and act non-aggressive.
How did Bandura find his findings AO1 ?
72 children aged 3-5 were separated into two halves. One half saw an adult role model act aggressive with a bobo doll and the other half non-aggressive. Then the children were placed into the room with the bobo doll and watched through a one way mirror while left alone.
Name one strength AO3 of SLT ?
P - One strength is SLT has real-world application.
E - Social learning principles can account for how children learn from other people around them (media as well) and this can explain how cultural norms are transmitted. This has proved useful in understanding a range of behaviours such as how children come to understand their gender role by imitating role models in the media.
E - This increases the value of SLT as it can account for real world behaviour.
Name one limitation of SLT AO3 ?
P - One limitation is SLT relies to heavily on evidence from contrived lab studies.
E - Many of Bandura’s studies were held in controlled lab settings which raises the problem of demand characteristics. The main purpose of a bobo doll is to hit it so the children may have been acting like they thought they were expected to.
E - Thus the research may tell us little about how children actually learn aggression in everyday life.
Name another strength of SLT AO3 ?
P - Another strength of SLT is it relies on reciprocal determinism.
E - Bandura emphasised reciprocal determinism which is where we are influenced by our environment but we also have an influence on it through the the behaviours we exert. This element of choice suggests there is some free will in the way we behave.
E - This is a more realistic and flexible position than is suggested by the behaviourist approach as it recognises the role we play in shaping our own environment.
Name a limitation of Bandura’s study ?
P - Bandura’s study lacks ecological validity.
E - This is because the task of hitting an inflatable doll does not cause any physical harm, as it would when you hit a real person.
E - This is a problem because the task is artificial it may not represent real life everyday behaviour.
