The Social Learning Approach*

Question 1

Give the main assumption of the social learning theory.

Answer 1

Behaviour is leaned from observing, and imitating, others.

Question 2

List the 5 features of the social learning theory giving a few details for each.

Answer 2

1) . Imitation - duplicating the behaviour exactly as demonstrated.
2) . Modelling - learning that occurs after observing a model.
3) . Identification - behaviour is influenced to be associated with a person as we want to be like them.
4) . Vicarious reinforcement - observing the rewards and punishments of other people.
5) . Mediational processes - considering whether to imitate the behaviour.

Question 3

Outline the 4 key meditational processes.

Answer 3

1) . Attention - only taking note of behaviours that are intriguing.
2) . Retention - behaviour must be retained - as much of social learning is not immediate.
3) . Reproduction - only imitating the behaviour if it is physically replicable e.g. a 90 year old would struggle to replicate behaviours on Strictly Come Dancing.
4) . Motivation - the behaviour will be more likely replicated if the perceived rewards outweigh the risks.

Question 4

Outline Bandura’s Bobo doll study.

Answer 4

72 children took part in a covert observation in which they witnessed a man acting aggressively towards a Bobo doll. They were than placed in a room with a Bobo doll and various other toys.

Question 5

Outline the findings of Bandura’s Bobo doll study.

Answer 5

• Those who had observed aggressive behaviour were more likely to act aggressively towards the Bobo doll.
• Males were more aggressive than females.
• Imitation was greater when the role model was the same gender as the child.

Question 6

Give 2 advantages of the social learning approach.

Answer 6

Advantages:
- Practical validity - e.g. led to the introduction of video game ratings to prevent children replicating perhaps aggressive behaviours elicited in the video games - however Cumberbatch et al. claimed the media had little impact on a child’s behaviour.

• Supporting evidence - Akers found that people are more likely to resort to criminality if they were exposed to models who demonstrated criminal behaviour - thus corroborating the modelling theory.

Question 7

Give 2 disadvantages of the social learning theory.

Answer 7

Disadvantage:
- Social learning theorists employ a range of various methodologies in their research - thus it can be criticised for being unscientific.

• Reductionist - males were more aggressive than females - could this be due to hormones? - no causation to Bandura’s findings.