Social Learning Theory Evaluation Flashcards
Real life application- strength
One strength of social learning theory is that it has real life application
E- For example, understanding a role of the media in modelling has impacted policy, such as the introduction of age rating to prevent children observing and imitating inappropriate behaviour.
E- This shows how the understanding of the role of modelling has allowed us to shape behaviour in the real world
C- This is significant because it has allowed the theory to positively contribute to society, which as a result also highlighted it’s explanatory power
Less reductionist- strength
N- One strength of social learning theory is that it’s less reductionist.
E- For example, the theory considers mediational processes that take place between an action been observed and imitated
E- Bandura considered how the cognitive processes of attention retention reproduction and motivation act as mediators between the stimulus and response.
C- This is significant because taking an integrated approach may be a better way to explain complex human behaviour
Evidence based approach- strength
N- One strength of social learning theory is that it an evidence based approach
E- For example, Bandura’s bobo doll study used experimental method to assess if children would observe and imitate behaviour. They found that children who viewed an aggressive model subsequently imitated that behaviour and acted aggressive when playing with the bobo doll.
E- This shows how observation and imitation can be used to explain aggressive behaviour
C- This is significant because it increases the explanatory power and validity of the approach as an explanation of human behaviour
Highly artificial- weakness
N- One weakness of social learning theory is that their research methods are highly artificial
E- For example, Bandura’s use of the Bobo doll study to support his theory can be considered flawed in this respect
E-some psychologist believed that the unusual behaviour may have lead to the children believing it was a game opposed to natural everyday behaviour.
C- This is significant because it means that findings of observation resulting in imitation in research may not be generalisable to real life, thus lacking ecological validity.
Extreme nurture- weakness
N- One weakness of social learning theory is that it is an extreme nurture point of view
E- they believe all behaviour is learned through observation and imitation of models in our social environment
E-this underplays the role of biological influences, such as genes, in human behaviour.
C- This is significant because it means it may not be a complete explanation of human behaviour
