the social learning theory

Question 1

what did bandura observe/test/how?

Answer 1

tested imitative learning in children, half were exposed to aggressive adult models and half were exposed to non aggressive models. all the models had a Bobo doll. the aggressive models were physically/verbally aggressive to the doll.

Question 2

from his observation, what did bandura find?

Answer 2

children exposed to aggressive behaviour imitated this, and showed violence towards the doll whereas children who hadn’t seen aggression showed no signs of violence. children who saw the model being rewarded for their aggressive behaviour were most likely to repeat the behaviour

Question 3

what are the 4 key principles of social learning theory?

Answer 3

1. Model. = someone who carries out the behaviour to be learned
2. Imitation= an individual acquiring and reproducing a new behaviour after observing it on a model
3. identification= the extent to which the individual relates to the model, and thus how likely they are to imitate them
4. vicarious reinforcement= individuals who witness the model being rewarded for their behaviour are more likely to imitate it than if they were punished for it

Question 4

what is a strength of SLT? (apps..)

Answer 4

practical applications:
it can be applied to many areas of human behaviour, eg criminal behaviour. Akers suggests the probability of someone engaging in crime increases when they are exposed to criminal behaviour. it is most likely for people who identify with others doing this behaviour and see them receiving positive consequences for their actions. for example in delinquent peer groups during adolescence where violence is modelled and rewarded. because of this, the government could try and instil more initiatives to tackle delinquency in youth i.e. youth clubs/no violence on TV . this is a strength because it shows that Bandura’s findings can have practical applications and help others

Question 5

what is a strength of SLT (research)

Answer 5

Fox and Balienson (2009) used computer generated virtual models engaging is exercise or not exercising. the model looked either similar or dissimilar to the participants involved in the study. participants whose similar looking model had engaged in exercise did more exercise in the following 24 hours than those whose model had not exercised or didnt look similar. this is a strength as it supports the idea of identification; more likely to imitate those you relate to.

Question 6

what is a limitation of SLT (causality)

Answer 6

limited by the problem of causality. supposedly behaviour comes as a result of imitation and association etc. but it cannot explain the causes of all behaviours. arguably, these behaviours are innate and those with the behaviour seek out others similar to them. for example, deviant youths are born like that and they seek out peers with similar attitudes and behaviours, and so their behaviour is not a result of imitation/identification etc.

Question 7

what is a limitation of SLT (complex)

Answer 7

the SLT ignores other potential influences on behaviour. for example, the development of gender role behaviour. the SLT places importance on gender specific modelling, however children are exposed to many different influences such as media portrayal and locus of control. virtually anything can have an influence on a specific behaviour, and so it is hard to say social learning is the one conclusive thing responsible for that behaviour