Social Learning Theory

Question 1

SLT

Answer 1

Example of neo-behaviourism

Question 2

SLT suggests…

Answer 2

people learn through observation and imitation of others within a social context - behaviour learnt indirectly via vicarious reinforcement.

Question 3

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 3

refers to learning that takes place through observing the consequences of a model’s actions in terms of reward and punishment.
Behaviour of role model/person you identify with, most likely to be imitated.

Question 4

Bandura Bobo Doll Study (1961)

Answer 4

• sample of 72 children , approx 4yrs, nursery at Stanford University

Question 5

Stage 1: modelling

Answer 5

• placed in 3 conditions:

Condition 1: aggressive model shown to 24 children, watched male/female act aggressively towards ‘bobo doll’ - used hammer, threw the doll

Condition 2: Non-aggressive model shown to 24 children - played in a quite and subdued manner for 10mins, ignored the bobo doll played with other toy

Condition 3: Non model shown (control)

Question 6

Stage 2: Aggression arousal

Answer 6

all children subjected to ‘mild aggression’

As soon as child began to play with toys the experimenter told the child that these were experimenters best toys and were reserved for other children

Question 7

Stage 3: Test for delay imitation

Answer 7

• some aggressive and non-aggressive toys

- 20mins in room and all behaviours observed

Question 8

Results(bobo doll):

Answer 8

• condition 1: made far more imitative responses then other conditions
• there was more partial and non-imitative aggression among children who observed aggressive behav but difference was small
• girls in condition 1 showed more physical aggression if model was male - more verbal if model was female.
• boys more likely to imitate same-sex models than girls, evidence for girls imitating same-sex not strong

Question 9

Conclusion(bobo doll)

Answer 9

The children learn social behaviour such as aggression through the observation learning, these findings support Banduras social learning theory.

Question 10

Evaluation(bobo doll)

Answer 10

Pros - can be replicated - as used standardised procedures
Cons - psychologists critical of lab studies of imitation - tend to have low ecological validity
- bobo doll designed to be hit
Practical application: more aggression in the children which observed aggressive behaviour

Question 11

For effective learning to take place what needs to happen?

Answer 11

Mediational processes

Question 12

Three cognitive proccesses

Answer 12

Attention - whether we notice the behaviour
Retention - whether we can remember the behaviour
Reproduction - whether we are able to perform the behaviour
Motivation - whether we the perceive the rewards out weigh the perceived costs