Social Learning Theory

• What does the Social Learning Theory propose about how people learn?


  People learn through imitation and observation
• Who created the Social Learning Theory?

  Albert Bandura
• What is the term for the process of imitating a role model's behavior?

  Modelling
• What is a role model in the context of Social Learning Theory?


  A person that individuals identify with and imitate
• What is the significance of identification in the Social Learning Theory?


  People are more likely to imitate those they identify with
• What is vicarious reinforcement?


  Imitation occurs if the behavior is seen to be rewarded
• What are the four mediational processes identified by Bandura?


  Attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation
• What was the aim of Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment?


  To find out whether aggression can be learned through imitation
• How many children participated in Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment?


  72 children
• How were the children selected for the Bobo Doll experiment?


  They were observed beforehand and rated on aggression
• What were the three conditions in Bandura's experiment?


  Non-aggressive, aggressive, and control conditions
• What did the aggressive condition in the Bobo Doll experiment involve?


  The model was verbally and physically aggressive towards the Bobo doll
• What was the purpose of provoking the children in the Bobo Doll experiment?


  To encourage them to behave aggressively
• How were the children's behaviors recorded during the Bobo Doll experiment?


  Observers recorded behaviors every 5 seconds using specific measures
• What were the findings regarding children's imitation of aggressive behavior?


  Children in the aggressive condition imitated both aggressive and non-aggressive behaviors
• How did gender affect the imitation of aggression in the Bobo Doll experiment?


  Boys imitated more physical aggression, while girls imitated more verbal aggression
• What is the 'same-sex effect' observed in Bandura's experiment?


  Boys were more aggressive with male models, and girls with female models
• What conclusion did Bandura draw from his Bobo Doll experiment?


  Learning can occur without classical or operant conditioning
• What are the strengths and limitations of the Social Learning Theory?


  Strengths:

  • Recognizes cognitive factors in learning
  • Accounts for cultural differences in behavior

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Ignores biological factors
  • Over-reliance on lab studies, leading to demand characteristics
• What does the Social Learning Theory recognize about cognitive factors?


  It recognizes their importance in learning
• How does the Social Learning Theory account for cultural differences in behavior?


  Children learn from those around them, including through media
• What biological factors does the Social Learning Theory ignore?


  It states that learning is determined by the environment
• What is a criticism regarding the Bobo Doll experiment's methodology?


  The experiment's reliance on lab studies may lead to demand characteristics