social learning theory- Bandura

Question 1

who proposed SLT?

Answer 1

Bandura

Question 2

who does Bandura agree with, but then what does he also suggest?

Answer 2

• Bandura agreed with behaviourists (behaviour learned from experiences)
• but suggested people learn through observations of role models and imitation

Question 3

what is a role model?

Answer 3

normally older, influential, high status people with qualities children aspire

Question 4

what is imitation?

Answer 4

copying the behaviour of others

Question 5

what does SLT suggest about how learning occurs?

Answer 5

learning occurs directly through OC and CC but also indirectly

Question 6

is learning innate?

Answer 6

no not innate as it’s absorbed via child’s environment

Question 7

what is Vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 7

• VR= indirect
• reinforcement experienced by observing others rather than by receiving the award oneself

Question 8

when is it likely a learner will imitate behaviour (VR)?

Answer 8

• learner may imitate behaviour if behaviour is rewarded (positive) rather than punished.
  the learner observes the behaviour + consequences of it

Question 9

what are mediational processes?

Answer 9

• SLT focuses on how cognitive factors are involved in learning
• mental factors mediate in learning process + determine if new response if acquired

Question 10

what are the 4 mediational processes Bandura identified?

Answer 10

1. Attention
2. retention
3. motor reproduction
4. motivation

Question 11

what is attention?

Answer 11

noticing the behaviour + being aware of it

Question 12

what is retention?

Answer 12

how well the behaviour is remembered

Question 13

what is motor reproduction?

Answer 13

imitating the behaviour

Question 14

what is motivation?

Answer 14

desire to perform the behaviour, normally determined via whether behaviour was rewarded or punished.

Question 15

what mediational processes refer to learning the behaviour?

Answer 15

attention, retention

Question 16

what mediational processes refer to performance of the behaviour?

Answer 16

motor reproduction, motivation

Question 17

do learning and performance of behaviours need to occur together?

Answer 17

No- observed behaviours may be stored by observer + reproduced at a later time

Question 18

what is identification?

Answer 18

• people most likely to imitate people they identify with= identification
• person associates themselves with a role model + wants to be like the role model

Question 19

what is modelling?

Answer 19

from observer’s perspective= imitating the behaviour of a role model
from role models perspective= demonstration of the behaviour that may be imitated by the observer

Question 20

Bandura’s research aim?

Answer 20

investigate effect of observed aggression on children’s behaviour + investigate effect of same sex modelling on children’s aggressive behaviour

Question 21

Bandura’s research procedure?

Answer 21

• 72 participants from Stanford university nursery
• 36 girls, 36 boys (all aged 37-69 months)
• before experiment staff rated each child’s aggression
• Bandura used ratings to create matched pairs experiment design (so then each condition of independent variable was an equal balance of aggression in children)
• adult male or female observed per condition with large bobo doll
• 3 conditions of independent variable= aggressive model, non-aggressive model, control group
• child witnessed model for 10 mins then went to a different room where they couldn’t play with the toys as they were being saved for other children (aggression arousal phase)
• participants were observed for 20 minutes in Bobo doll room through one way mirror

Question 22

Bandura’s research findings?

Answer 22

• children who observed aggressive behaviour= more likely to be aggressive to Bobo doll
• boys= more physically aggressive + girls= more verbally aggressive
• children more likely to imitate behaviour of same sex role model

Question 23

Bandura’s research conclusion?

Answer 23

• aggression can be learned via mechanisms of SLT
• imitation of aggression can occur after just one exposure

Question 24

eval- point 1

Answer 24

reciprocal determinism
- we exert influence upon environment through behaviours
- our choice + free will in our behaviours
- contrasts behaviourist approach which denies free will

Question 25

eval- point 2

Answer 25

lab studies
- well controlled= good replicability + reliability
BUT
- may have caused demand characteristics
- Bobo doll research= silly. Children may have been behaving in a way they thought was expected as bobo doll is made to be hit –> therefore research tells us little on how children actually learn aggression

Question 26

eval- point 3

Answer 26

recognises cognitive factors
- CC + OC= adequate account of learning alone –> so SLT provides more comprehensive explanation of learning by recognising mediational processes
BUT
- SLT= criticised for making little reference to biological factors on social learning
- Bandura thought learning itself was determined by environment even though he claimed biological differences influenced our learning potential
BUT
- research suggests observational learning may be result of mirror neurons in brain –> suggest biological influences were under emphasised in SLT

Question 27

eval- point 4

Answer 27

real world application
- external validity
- explains cultural differences in behaviour (useful to help understand range of behaviours e.g. gender role) –> children learn via modelling, imitation + reinforcement + media –> cultural norms
- token economy in prisons –> observations of good behaviours of fellow prisoners receiving awards= encourages them to model it.

Question 28

small eval points

Answer 28

ethical issues- children shown aggressive behaviours= distressing etc
- doesn’t account for individual differences
- less reductionist than behaviourism