social learning theory evaluations

Question 1

name an evaluation point for social learning theory

Answer 1

there is the importance of the role of identification in SLT
Andsager et al in 2000 that perceived similarity to a model in an anti-alcohol advertisement was positively related to the messages effectiveness
health campaigns have tried match characters that model desired behaviours with the target audience in terms of physical characteristics, behaviour and attitudes

Question 2

name a second evaluation point for social learning theory

Answer 2

there is a problem with complexity
this approach disregards other potential influences on behaviour
for example in explaining the development of gender role behaviour theorists would emphasise the importance of gender-specific modelling
in real life a child is exposed to many different influences interacting in different ways
these include media portrayals , locus of control and genetic predispositions

Question 3

Name a third evaluation point for social learning theory

Answer 3

There is supporting evidence for indentification
Fox and Bailenson in 2009 found evidence for this using a computer generated virtual humans in engaging exercise or loitering. Participants who viewed their virtual model exercising in engaged in more exercise within 24 hours and participants who viewed their virtual models loitering did not engage in exercise

Question 4

Name a final evaluation point

Answer 4

SLT has useful applications i.e investigating criminal behaviour
Akers in 1998 suggests that the probability of someone engaging in criminal behaviour increases when they are exposed to models who commit criminal behaviour and identify these models and develop positive expectations for their own criminal behaviour