Social learning theory (Evaluation)

Question 1

Point 1

Answer 1

• The theory is supported by research.

Question 2

Expand (Point 1)

Answer 2

• Supported by Bandura’s Bobo doll study, his finding suggest that children learn to act aggressively through observing others.

Question 3

T- why does this matter?
(point 1)

Answer 3

• His findings support the assumption there are mediational processes involved in this type of learning, that children are more likely to pay attention to the behaviours of a role model with similar characteristics to them (e.g. identify with the same sex model) and are motivated to imitate behaviours that they have observed being reinforced through praise (e.g. ‘well done’).

Question 4

Point 2

Answer 4

• The theory has real world applications.

Question 5

Expand (point 2)

Answer 5

• SLT has important implications for the media. If children imitate violence and aggression that they observe, then exposure to these acts need to be restricted.

Question 6

Example of real word application (Point 2)

Answer 6

• The death of 2 year old James Bulger who was murdered by two 10 year old boys in Liverpool; it was argued that the brutal actions of the child’s killers were inspired by the horror film Child’s play 3.

Question 7

T- why does this matter? (Point 2)

Answer 7

• This places the importance of age restrictions and media violence and this could be considered evidence to support the real-world relevance of the SLT.

Question 8

Point 3

Answer 8

• The social learning theory is deterministic.

Question 9

Expand (point 3)

Answer 9

• SLT emphasises a deterministic view of behaviour, one that focusses on causal explanations.
• SLT is not considered a hard deterministic view, instead Bandura emphasised reciprocal determinism- the idea that we are influenced by our environment, but that we also exert an influence on the behaviours we choose to perform.

Question 10

T- why does this matter? (Point 3)

Answer 10

• This element of choice suggests there is some free will in the way we behave and is consistent with the fact that Bandura recognises the influence of cognitive processes on SL.
• This is a more realistic and flexible position than traditional behaviourists offer and is considered a more valuable approach to understanding human behaviour.