social learning theory

• What is social learning theory?

  Learning through observing others and imitating their behaviours.
• What are the 5 key processes of social learning theory?

  1. Modelling
  2. Imitation
  3. Identification
  4. Vicarious Reinforcement
  5. Mediational Processes
• What is the term for the process of observing and reproducing behaviour?


  Imitation
• What is a live model in the context of social learning theory?

  A live model might be a parent, teacher, or friend.
• What is a symbolic model?

  A symbolic model might be someone portrayed in the media, like a TV character.
• What factors influence the speed of behaviour acquisition through imitation?


  The characteristics of the model, the observer's perceived ability, and the observed consequences of behaviour.
• What does identification refer to in social learning theory?

  Identification refers to the extent to which an individual can relate to a model and feels similar to that person.
• Why are individuals more likely to imitate high-status models?

  People are more likely to imitate high-status models, celebrities, and those perceived as physically attractive.
• What is vicarious reinforcement?

  Individuals learn about the likely consequence of an action by viewing the behaviour of a model.
• How might observing someone getting told off for talking in class affect your behaviour?

  You are likely to avoid talking in class.
• How does social learning theory bridge traditional learning theory and the cognitive approach?

  It focuses on cognitive factors involved in learning.
• What are the mediational processes in social learning theory?

  Mediational processes are mental factors that intervene to determine whether a new response is acquired.
• What are the four mediational processes in social learning theory?

  1. Attention
  2. Retention
  3. Motor reproduction
  4. Motivation
• What does attention refer to in the context of mediational processes?

  Attention refers to the extent to which we notice certain behaviours that capture our interest.
• What is motor reproduction in social learning theory?

  Motor reproduction is the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour.
• What does motivation refer to in the context of social learning theory?

  Motivation refers to the will or desire to perform the behaviour based on its previous success.
• How can positive vicarious reinforcement influence motivation?

  Positive vicarious reinforcement can motivate the individual to perform the behaviour.
• Who conducted the study on children's behavior towards a Bobo doll in 1961?

  Bandura, Ross, and Ross
• What was the behavior of the adult in Condition 1 of the 1961 study?

  The adult behaved aggressively towards a Bobo doll, hitting it with a hammer and shouting abuse.
• What was the behavior of the adult in Condition 2 of the 1961 study?


  The adult played with the Bobo doll in a non-aggressive way.
• What was the main finding regarding children's aggression towards the Bobo doll in the 1961 study?


  Children in Condition 1 were more likely to be aggressive towards the Bobo doll when given their own to play with.
• How did the sex of the model influence children's behavior in the 1961 study?

  There was a greater level of imitation if the model was the same sex as the child.
• What did Bandura and Walters do in their 1963 study?

  They showed videos to children where an adult behaved aggressively towards a Bobo doll.
• What were the three conditions presented to children in the 1963 study?

  Condition 1: The adult was praised for their aggressive behavior; Condition 2: The adult was punished for their aggression; Condition 3: The aggression was shown without consequences.
• In the 1963 study, which group of children is likely to show the most aggression when given their own Bobo doll to play with?

  Children who saw the adult praised for their aggressive behavior.
• In the 1963 study, which group of children is likely to show the least aggression when given their own Bobo doll to play with?

  Children who saw the adult being punished for their aggression towards the doll.
• What evidence did children provide for learning through imitation?

  Children expressed their aggression in ways that resembled the model's novel behaviour
• How did boys' aggression compare to girls' aggression after exposure to the male model?

  Boys showed more overall aggression than girls, especially in physical aggression
• What were the conditions in Bandura and Walters' (1963) study?

  1. Condition 1: Adult praised for aggressive behaviour
  2. Condition 2: Adult punished for aggression
  3. Condition 3 (control group): Aggression shown without consequences
• What did Bandura, Ross, and Ross (1961) study in their experiment?


  They recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult interact with a Bobo doll
• What were the two conditions in Bandura, Ross, and Ross's (1961) study regarding the adult's behaviour towards the Bobo doll?

  1. Condition 1: Adult behaved aggressively towards the Bobo doll (hitting and shouting)
  2. Condition 2: Adult played with the Bobo doll in a non-aggressive way
• What was the outcome for children in Condition 1 of Bandura, Ross, and Ross's (1961) study when they were given their own Bobo doll to play with?

  Children in Condition 1 were more likely to be aggressive towards the Bobo doll
• What factor increased the level of imitation among children in Bandura, Ross, and Ross's (1961) study?

  Imitation was greater if the model was the same sex as the child