Social learning theory

• What role does motivation play in the imitation of behavior according to social learning theory?

  Motivation increases the likelihood of imitating behavior if there is a desire to receive praise or to imitate the model.
• Why is identification with the model important in social learning theory?

  Identification with the model influences attention and the desire to imitate their behavior.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of social learning theory?

  Strengths:

  • Useful applications in understanding media influence on behavior
  • Supported by Bandura's experiments showing imitation of aggression

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Predominantly lab-based evidence lacks ecological validity
  • Underestimates the role of biological factors in behavior
• What did Bandura's study on aggression demonstrate about children's behavior?

  Children imitated aggression shown by aggressive models.
• What is vicarious reinforcement in the context of social learning theory?

  Vicarious reinforcement occurs when behavior is more likely to be copied if it is seen being rewarded in others.
• What are the four mediational processes involved in learning according to Bandura?

  1. Attention
  2. Retention
  3. Reproduction
  4. Motivation
• How does attention affect the likelihood of imitating behavior?

  If the behavior is observed, we are more likely to imitate it.
• What does retention refer to in Bandura's mediational processes?

  Retention refers to the ability to remember the observed behavior, increasing the likelihood of imitation.
• What does reproduction mean in the context of social learning theory?

  Reproduction means feeling capable of replicating the observed behavior, which increases imitation likelihood.
• What key figure is associated with the social learning theory?

  Bandura (BoBo Dolls)