Social Learning Theory (Main Features)

Question 1

What is meant by social learning theory

Answer 1

The idea that behaviours can be obtained by imitating others.

Question 2

What are the 3 key areas in SLT (social learning theory)

Answer 2

1. Modelling
2. Observating and immitating
3. Vicarious reinforcement

Question 3

Modelling:

When does this occur

Answer 3

When a role model is desplaying behaviour in the presence of an observer

Question 4

Modelling:

What factors influnce whether the role model is imitated or not

Answer 4

• Sex
• Age
• Attractiveness
• Social Status

Question 5

Observation and imitation:

define observation

Answer 5

to watch or listen to behaviour in others

Question 6

Observation and imitation:

Define imitation

Answer 6

copying observed behaviour

• most important behaviour in SLT

Question 7

Observation and imitation:

Why is imitation the most important behaviour in SLT

Answer 7

This is how the observers learn the behaviour, allowing it to be reproduced whenever it’s appropriate

Question 8

Vicarious reinforcement:

Define vicarious reinfrocement

Answer 8

Observation of the consequences of someone elses behaviour

Question 9

Vicarious Reinforcement:

When does it happen

Answer 9

When the observer witnesses the model being rewarded in someway for behaviour

Question 10

Stages of Social Learning:

What are the stages of SLT

Answer 10

1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Reproduction
4. Motivation

Question 11

Stages of Social Learning:

Define attention

Answer 11

observer must pay attention to the model

Question 12

Stages of Social Learning

Define retention

Answer 12

storing the modelled behaviour in memory

Question 13

Stages of Social Learning

Define reproduction

Answer 13

recall and enactment of the modelled behaviour

Question 14

Stages of Social Learning

Define motivation

Answer 14

Force that drives the person to performe the behaviour - in SLT this is the result of vicarious reinforcement

Question 15

Strength of research evidence of SLT:

What is a strength of research evidence supporting SLT

Answer 15

Research on SLT on both humans and animals support the existance of it

Question 16

Strength of research evidence of SLT:

What is the research evidence that supports SLT in humans

Answer 16

Banduras studies showed children are able to imitate an aggressive role model after observing said role model acting in an aggressive way towards the ‘bobo doll’

Question 17

Strength of research evidence of SLT:

What is research evidence that supports SLT on animals

Answer 17

Nicol and Pope showed that chicken would imitate socially high status chickens in where they would peck on a pad to obtain food

Question 18

Strength of research evidence of SLT:

What do these researches mean

Answer 18

Supports banduras claim that behaviour can be acquired via observing and imitating, and how imitating is affected by characteristics of model

Question 19

Weakness of research evidence of SLT:

What is a weakness of research evidence

Answer 19

Research shows genetic factors are as important in behaviour as environmental factors.

Question 20

Weakness of research evidence of SLT:

What is a research that shows genetic influence in behaviour

Answer 20

Kendler et al showed identical twins are more similar in levels of aggression than non-identical twins.

Question 21

Weakness of research evidence of SLT:

What does this evidence suggest

Answer 21

Individual differences in behaviours are genetically influenced and not a product of modelling.

• SLT is not a complete explanation of acquisition of behaviour

Question 22

Strength of application of SLT:

What is an application of SLT to real life

Answer 22

Can explain the alleged effect of media violence on aggression in children

Question 23

Strength of application of SLT:

Evidence of its application on media violence on aggression in children

Answer 23

There is concern children may imitate violence portrayed in films, TV and video games. SLT is useful as it helps us predict when imitation of violence may happen. (characteristics of model)

Question 24

Strength of application of SLT:

What does this evidence suggest

Answer 24

demonstrates the significance of SLT in shaping society’s thoughts on what behaviours are modelled by the media.