Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Who was Albert Bandura?

Answer 1

In psychology for 60 years
Key contribution was reviewing the effect of role models
Proposed that all behaviour was learned yet cognitive processes play a role through imitation and observation

Question 2

What was the procedure of the Bandura et al study on the influence of role models?

Answer 2

1) children witnessed adult aggressive and non aggressive behaviour: verbal abuse and violence for 10 mins
2) taken to a room and can’t play with toys for 2minutes
3) new room with toys without the model and observed to see if they would imitate the behaviour they had witnessed

Question 3

What were the aims and findings of Bandura et al?

Answer 3

Aims
-examine effect of continual influence of the model
-if sex of the model
Findings
-if observed aggressive behaviour they acted more aggressive
-boys tended to be more aggressive
-greater level of imitation if the model was the same gender as the child

Question 4

Two advantages of social learning theory

Answer 4

Can successfully explain behaviours such as smoking and therefore has practical applications
Takes note of the role of thoughts

Question 5

Weaknesses of the social learning theory

Answer 5

Not a complete explanation of behaviour such as when there is no role model
Issues of causality as role models aren’t the only cause of behaviour

Question 6

Define what is meant by the social learning theory

Answer 6

Learning is a cognitive process that takes place in a social context and can occur purely through observation or direct instruction