The Social Learning theory Flashcards
Give the main assumption of the social learning theory.
Behaviour is learned from observing, and imitating, others.
List the 5 features of the social learning theory and give a few details for each.
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.
Outline the 4 meditational processes.
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.
Outline Bandura’s Bobo Doll study.
72 children took part in a covert observation in which they witnessed a man acting aggressively towards a Bobo doll. They were then placed in a room with a Bobo doll and various other toys.
Outline the findings of Bandura’s Bobo Doll study.
-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.
Give 2 advantages of the social learning theory.
+Has high practical validity.
It led to the introduction of video game ratings to prevent children replicating perhaps aggressive behaviours elicited in the video games.
However, Cumberbatch claimed that the media has little impact on children’s behaviour.
+There is supporting evidence from Akers.
Akers found that people are more likely to resort to criminality if they were exposed to models who demonstrated criminal behaviour, therefore supporting the modelling theory.
Give 2 disadvantages of the social learning theory.
-Has been criticised for being unscientific because social learning theorists employ a range of various methodologies in their research.
-It is very reductionist.
The males were more aggressive than females, but could this just be to do with hormone levels?
There is no causation established with Bandura’s findings.
