Approaches: Social Learning Theory (3)

• Who is the founder of social learning theory?


  Albert Bandura
• What does social learning theory propose about behavior acquisition?


  It can be acquired through observation of one's own and others' behavior.
• How does Bandura's view of reinforcement differ from operant conditioning?


  He believed reinforcement can also serve an informative function.
• What role does feedback play in social learning according to Bandura?


  It helps individuals develop hypotheses about successful behaviors.
• What is social learning theory also known as today?


  • Social cognitive theory
  • Acknowledges the importance of mediational processes
• What is a model in the context of social learning theory?


  A model is someone who carries out the behavior to be learned.
• What are the two types of models mentioned in social learning theory?


  Live models and symbolic models.
• What is the process called when individuals reproduce observed behaviors?

  Imitation
• What factors determine whether a behavior is imitated?

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


  The extent to which an individual relates to a model and feels similar to them.
• According to research, who are children more likely to identify with?


  Models who are similar to them, particularly same-sex models.
• What is vicarious reinforcement?


  Learning about consequences by observing a model being rewarded or punished.
• How does vicarious reinforcement influence behavior?


  It allows individuals to adjust their behavior based on observed consequences.
• What are mediational processes in social learning theory?


  Internal mental processes that occur between stimuli and responses.
• What must an observer do for social learning to occur, according to Bandura?


  Form mental representations of the behavior and its consequences.
• What was the main focus of Bandura et al.'s (1961) experiment?


  Children observing aggressive or non-aggressive adult models.
• What did children who observed aggressive models do in Bandura et al.'s study?


  They reproduced aggressive behavior resembling that of the model.
• What was a key finding regarding children who observed non-aggressive models?

  They exhibited virtually no aggression toward the Bobo doll.
• What did Bandura and Walters find in their follow-up study?


  Children who saw the model rewarded for aggression were more likely to imitate that behavior.
• What are some applications of social learning theory?


  • Understanding criminal behavior
  • Influence of models on behavior
  • Health-related behavior change
• How does exposure to criminal models affect behavior according to Aken (1998)?


  It increases the probability of engaging in criminal behavior.
• What did Hich (2003) find regarding violent behavior in adolescents?


  Association with delinquent peer groups is a strong cause of violent behavior.
• What did Bandura and Ballenson (2009) discover about identification and exercise behavior?


  Participants identified with similar models exercised more than those with dissimilar models.
• What is a major criticism of social learning theory regarding causality?


  It may overlook that individuals with deviant attitudes seek out similar peers.
• What is a problem of complexity in social learning theory?


  It disregards other potential influences on behavior.
• How do health campaigns utilize social learning theory?


  By matching models to the target audience to enhance identification.
• What did Andsager et al. (2006) find regarding perceived similarity in advertisements?


  It was positively related to the effectiveness of the message.
• When was Albert Bandura born?


  1925
• What sparked Bandura's interest in psychology?


  A filler course he stumbled upon while at university.
• What are key terms related to social learning theory?

  • Identification: Adopting behavior to associate with a person/group
  • Imitation: Copying behavior from a model
  • Mediational processes: Internal processes between stimuli and response
  • Modelling: Learning by observing another's behavior
  • Social learning theory: Learning through observation and imitation
  • Vicarious reinforcement: Learning through observing rewards/punishments
• What is the role of mediational processes in social learning theory?

  They refer to the internal mental processes that mediate between stimuli and responses.
• How can social learning theory explain Jack's behavior after watching violent TV?


  Jack may imitate aggressive behavior due to identification with violent models.
• Why might Jess not behave aggressively after watching the same violent programs as Jack?


  Jess may not identify with the violent models or may have different mediational processes.