Social Learning Theory

Question 1

how are behaviours learned

Answer 1

• through observation and imitation

- direct and indirect learning

Question 2

vicarious reinforcement

Answer 2

• behaviour and the rewards that come from it are seen by an observer, who then wants to repeat those actions to get the same reward
• the same principle applies to a situation in which the observer sees someone being punished for their actions, so they will be less likely to imitate

Question 3

SLT and behaviourism

Answer 3

• learning is direct, agreeing with behaviourists, but also indirect
• direct learning is an incomplete explanation on its own

Question 4

4 meditational processes

Answer 4

• attention: noticing behaviour
• retention: remembering behaviour
• motor reproduction: ability to reproduce behaviour
• motivation: want to perform behaviour based on rewards

Question 5

Identification/role models

Answer 5

• if a child can identify with a person based on e.g. gender, looks, race, ideology, age, then they are more likely to reproduce behaviour
• they also identify with models who they look up to, admire and want to be like, such as celebrities

Question 6

(+) EVAL - cultural differences

Answer 6

• the idea of children learning from people around them and through the media explains social and cultural norms, as well as different behaviours from people in different cultures and from different backgrounds

Question 7

(+) EVAL - less deterministic

Answer 7

• suggest that we are not influenced just be external environment, but also exert influence upon it and others, as model for imitation
• therefore suggesting that we have some free will

Question 8

(-) EVAL - biological factors

Answer 8

• there is little recognition of biology within SLT, demonstrated in the Bobo doll experiment
• boys were shown to be more aggressive than girls, which could be linked to higher levels of testosterone in boys