Social Learning Theory

• What do reinforcement and punishments inform the individual about?

  They inform the individual of likely consequences of their behavior.
• What is the main focus of the Behaviour Approach in psychology?

  • Focuses on observable behaviors
  • Emphasizes the role of the environment in shaping behavior
• What is the first principle of Social Learning Theory according to Albert Bandura?


  • All behaviors are learned from the environment.
• How are behaviors learned according to Bandura's Social Learning Theory?

  Behaviors are learned from observing others and the reinforcement or punishment they receive.
• How does Bandura's theory differ from strict behaviorist theories?

  Bandura's theory considers cognitive processes that underlie behavior, unlike strict behaviorist theories.
• What are the key terms that differentiate Bandura's approach from traditional behaviorism?


  • Observing
  • Cognitive processes
  • Challenges Skinner's ideas of automatic behavior modification through rewards and punishments
• What is the name of the classic research conducted by Bandura, Ross, and Ross in 1961?

  The Bobo doll experiment.
• What was the aim of Bandura's Bobo doll experiment?

  To examine the effect of the continual influence of the model and if the sex of the model influenced participants differently.
• How many participants were involved in Bandura's Bobo doll experiment?

  72 participants (36 male and 36 female).
• What was the age range of participants in Bandura's Bobo doll experiment?

  The age ranged from 27 to 69 months, with a mean age of just over 4 years.
• What were the two types of role models observed by participants in the Bobo doll experiment?

  Participants observed either aggressive or non-aggressive role models.
• What were the results of Bandura's Bobo doll experiment regarding gender differences in aggression?


  Boys acted more aggressively than girls, and there was greater imitation of behavior if the role model was the same gender as the child.
• What conclusion can be drawn from Bandura's Bobo doll experiment?


  There is a behavioral effect from observing aggressive behavior, which can continue after a delay.
• What are the limitations of Bandura's Bobo doll experiment?

  • Effects of social learning are only short-term.
  • Difficulty in interpreting behavior as solely influenced by social learning.
  • The Bobo doll is designed for hitting, affecting validity.
• What are mediating processes in the context of Social Learning Theory?

  Mediating processes are the thought considerations that occur between observing a behavior and deciding whether to imitate it.
• What are the four mediational processes documented by Bandura?

  1. Attention
  2. Retention
  3. Reproduction
  4. Motivation
• Why is attention important in the process of imitation?

  Attention is crucial because a behavior must be easily observed to influence imitation.
• What role does retention play in the imitation process?

  Retention involves forming a memory of the behavior, which is necessary for later imitation.
• What does reproduction refer to in the context of Bandura's mediational processes?

  Reproduction refers to the ability to enact a behavior, which can be limited by physical capabilities.
• How does motivation influence the likelihood of imitation?

  Motivation affects imitation based on perceived rewards and costs associated with the behavior.
• How do mediating processes affect the imitation of behavior in children?

  • Attention: Behavior must be noticeable.
  • Retention: Memory of behavior is necessary.
  • Reproduction: Physical ability to imitate is required.
  • Motivation: Desire for rewards influences imitation.
• What are the two types of models in Social Learning Theory?

  • Live model: Present in our lives (e.g., parents, teachers).
  • Symbolic model: Present in media (e.g., celebrities).
• What does Social Learning Theory state about internal processes?

  It states that internal and mental processes mediate between stimulus and response, affecting behavior.