evaluation

• strength of slt

  • A strength of social learning theory is its practical application to real life aggression.
  • Its explanatory power can help us to understand why the James Bulger murder may have happened and gave us some great insights into how to prevent teenage violence. 
  • Additionally, Stanley Kubrick withdrew his controversial film (A Clockwork Orange) in 1971 from British cinemas after a series of violent incidents based on people imitating scenes from the film.
• weakness of slt

  • One limitation of social learning theory is that many studies have failed to find a link between violent films and crime.
  • Ulrich (2003) found no relationship between watching violent films and later criminality. They suggested that the strongest cause of violent behaviour is association with delinquent peer groups, where violence was both modelled and rewarded.
  • This suggests that social learning theory may not be able to explain criminality so it may lack explanatory power.
• What is one strength of social learning theory (SLT)?

  It acknowledges the role of other approaches in explaining human behaviour.
• How does SLT incorporate the cognitive approach?

  SLT takes thought processes into account and acknowledges their role in deciding whether behaviour is initiated.
• What did Bandura acknowledge about biological urges in aggressive behaviour?

  He acknowledged that biological urges exist but argued that social learning teaches individuals how and when to be aggressive.
• What does the acknowledgment of cognitive mediating processes in SLT imply about its approach to human behaviour?

  It implies that SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human behaviour by integrating cognitive and biological factors.
• What are the key components of social learning theory (SLT) in explaining human behaviour?

  • Acknowledges the role of other approaches
  • Incorporates cognitive processes in behaviour initiation
  • Recognizes biological urges in aggression
  • Teaches how and when to express aggression
  • Provides a comprehensive explanation of behaviour
• What do social learning theorists emphasize in the development of gender role behavior?

  The importance of gender-specific modeling.
• What are some of the different influences a child is exposed to in real life?

  Genetic predispositions, media portrayals, and locus of control.
• What problem does the interaction of various influences pose for social learning researchers?


  It makes it hard to show one specific thing as the cause of influence on behavior.