The learning approach: social learning theory

Question 1

what does the social learning theory propose?

Answer 1

SLT proposed a different way in which people learn: through observation and imitation of others

Question 2

what does SLT suggest?

Answer 2

SLT suggests that learning occurs directly, through classical and operant conditioning

Question 3

who created the social learning theory

Answer 3

Bandura

Question 4

what did Bandura believe? (SLT)

Answer 4

Bandura believed people learn through association and imitation of others
- said that learning occurs directly and indirectly

Question 5

what is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 5

indirect learning - when someone observes the behaviour of others, and only imitates when behaviour is rewarded, not punished

Question 6

what are mediational processes?

Answer 6

cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response

Question 7

what are the 4 mediational processes in learning?

Answer 7

1. attention (learning of behaviour)
2. retention (learning of behaviour)
3. motor reproduction (performance of behaviour)
4. motivation (performance of behaviour)

Question 8

what does ‘attention’ mean in mediational processes

Answer 8

• the extent to which we notice certain behaviours

Question 9

what does ‘retention’ mean in mediational processes

Answer 9

• how well the behaviour is remembered

Question 10

what does ‘motor reproduction’ mean in mediational processes

Answer 10

• ability of the observer to perform the behaviour

Question 11

what does ‘motivation’ mean in mediational processes

Answer 11

• the will to perform the behaviour - often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished

Question 12

what does it mean by modelling - SLT

Answer 12

people are more likely to imitate the behaviour of role models

Question 13

SLT - EVALUATION - the importance of cognitive factors in learning

Answer 13

• classical and operant conditioning cannot provide an adequate account of learning on their own
• SLT recognises role of mediational processes

Question 14

SLT - EVALUATION - over reliance on evidence from lab studies

Answer 14

• observations of young children’s behaviour in lab setting influenced many of Bandura’s ideas
• many participants may respond to demand characteristics in lab settings, meaning children probably learn differently in everyday life.

Question 15

SLT - EVALUATION - underestimate influenced of biological factors

Answer 15

• biological factors such as the testosterone in males could be explanation of why they were more aggressive than females (Bobo doll experiment)

Question 16

SLT - EVALUATION - explains cultural differences in behaviour

Answer 16

• SLT explains cultural differences in behaviour

Question 17

SLT - EVALUATION - less determinist than the behaviorist approach

Answer 17

• suggests there is free will in the way we behave - as we are able to influence the environment as well as the environment influencing us.

Question 18

Bobo doll study

Answer 18

Bandura et al (1961) recorded the behaviour of children who watched adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll.
- the adult hit the Bobo doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it

when these children later observed playing with various toys (including BOBO DOLL)
- they behaved much more aggressively towards the doll and the other toys than those who had observed a non-aggressive adult