Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Define Social Learning Theory

Answer 1

Social Learning Theory states that we learn how to behave by watching others and copying their behaviour. Behaviour is most likely to be repeated if it is positively reinforced. For example if a young child sees their older sibling getting sweets after throwing a tantrum in a supermarket. He is more likely to copy that behaviour than if their sibling was punished for their behaviour.

Question 2

Define Imitation

Answer 2

The action of using someone or something as a model and copying their behaviour

Question 3

Define Identification

Answer 3

A Form of influence where an individual adopts an attitude or behaviour because they want to be associated with a particular person or group

Question 4

Define Modelling

Answer 4

A Form of learning where individuals learn a particular behaviour by observing another individuals behaviour.

Question 5

Define Vicarious Reinforcement

Answer 5

Learning that is not a result of direct reinforcement of behaviour, but through observing someone else being reinforced for that behaviour.

Question 6

Define The Role Of Mediational Processes

Answer 6

Blue print created from experiences of previous behaviours observed showing positive consequences then repeat it in later life because of the experience

Question 7

Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study Aim

Answer 7

Bandura conducted a study to investigate if social behaviour (Agression) can be acquired by imitation

Question 8

Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study Method

Answer 8

A lab experiment was used to test 72 children. 24 Children watched an examiner or ‘model’ behave aggressive towards the bobo doll by attacking it. Another group of 24 watched a non-aggressive ‘model’ interact with the bobo doll and the final 24 were the control group who had no model. The child were then left to play with the toys in the room and interact how they wanted. They were in the room for 20 minutes and their behavior was observed and rated though a one-way mirror.

Question 9

Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study Results

Answer 9

Children who observed the aggressive model made far more imitative aggressive responses than those who were in the non-aggressive or control groups.
Boys were more likely to imitate same-sex models than girls. The evidence for girls imitating same-sex models is not strong.

Question 10

Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study Conclusion

Answer 10

The findings support the Social Learning Theory. As it shows children learn social behaviour such as aggression through the process of observation learning by watching someone else . This study has important implications for the effects of media violence on children.

Question 11

Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study A P F C

Answer 11

Bandura conducted a study to investigate if social behaviour (Agression) can be acquired by imitation
A lab experiment was used to test 72 children. 24 Children watched an examiner or ‘model’ behave aggressive towards the bobo doll by attacking it. Another group of 24 watched a non-aggressive ‘model’ interact with the bobo doll and the final 24 were the control group who had no model. The child were then left to play with the toys in the room and interact how they wanted. They were in the room for 20 minutes and their behavior was observed and rated though a one-way mirror.
Children who observed the aggressive model made far more imitative aggressive responses than those who were in the non-aggressive or control groups.
Boys were more likely to imitate same-sex models than girls. The evidence for girls imitating same-sex models is not strong.
The findings support the Social Learning Theory. As it shows children learn social behaviour such as aggression through the process of observation learning by watching someone else . This study has important implications for the effects of media violence on children.

Question 12

Evaluate Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study - Cause and Effect

Answer 12

Experiments are the only means by which cause and effect can be established. Thus, it could be demonstrated that the model did have an effect on the child’s subsequent behavior because all variables other than the independent variable are controlled.

Question 13

Evaluate Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study - Replicate

Answer 13

Experiments can be replicated. Standardized procedures and instructions were used, allowing for replicability. In fact the study has been replicated with slight changes, such as using video and similar results were found (Bandura, 1963).

Question 14

Evaluate Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study - Lab Study

Answer 14

Many psychologists are very critical of laboratory studies of imitation - in particular because they tend to have low ecological validity. The situation involves the child and an adult model, which is a very limited social situation and there is no interaction between the child and the model at any point; certainly the child has no chance to influence the model in any way. Also the model and the child are strangers. This, of course, is quite unlike ‘normal’ modeling, which often takes place within the family.

Question 15

Evaluate Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study - Long Term Effects

Answer 15

A further criticism of the study is that the demonstrations are measured almost immediately. With such snap shot studies, we cannot discover if such a single exposure can have long-term effects.

Question 16

Evaluate Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study - Ethics

Answer 16

It is possible to argue that the experiment was unethical. For example, there is the problem of whether or not the children suffered any long-term consequences as a result of the study. Although it is unlikely, we can never be certain.