Social learning theory (Evaluation of Bandura's study)

Question 1

Point 1 (+)

Answer 1

• The study was carried out under controlled conditions.

Question 2

Expand (point 1)

Answer 2

• The bobo doll experiment was carried out under controlled conditions, every chid was subjected to standardised procedures and instructions and this means that the study has high internal validity.

Question 3

T- why does this matter?

Answer 3

• Bandura was then able to draw conclusions about the model’s behaviour on the child’s subsequent behaviour.
• The replicability of this method meant that many variations have been carried out, including those that explored the role of identification in social learning.

Question 4

Point 2 (-)

Answer 4

• However, lab studies such as Bandura’s have low ecological validity and then findings drawn about the child’s subsequent behaviour may be exaggerated.

Question 5

Expand (point 2)

Answer 5

• The situation involves a very limited social situation and there is no interaction between the child and the model at any point, this does not represent real-world situations and it cannot be assumed that this contrived situation with a stranger would have the same influence on an observer as a family member or close friend.

Question 6

T- why does this matter? (Point 2)

Answer 6

• This means that the findings drawn can’t be generalised to the wider population, making us question how valuable Bandura’s research actually is.

Question 7

Point (3)

Answer 7

• Bandura’s study lacks realism, and it has been criticised because of the lack of familiarity of a bobo doll.

Question 8

Expand (Point 3)

Answer 8

• Cumberbatch found that children who had not played with a Bobo doll before were 5x as likely to imitate the aggressive behaviour than those who are familiar with it.
• He claims that the novelty value of the doll makes it more likely that children will imitate the aggressive acts towards it.

Question 9

T- why does this matter? (point 3)

Answer 9

• This raises issues for the ecological validity of the study, it can’t be assumed that aggression will be learned in the same way if the situation or stimulus isn’t novel.
• Other influences like prior experience are able to influence the likelihood of observed behaviours being imitated.
• This may mean that SLT is too simplistic to explain all learning.