Social. Learning theory

• Evaluate the importance of cognitive factors in learning as strength?

  • neither classical or operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning.
  • Humans and animals store information about behaviour and make judgement when its appropriate to perform
  • Bandura stated it would be laborious if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do.
  • SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by role of meditational processes.
• Evaluate underestimates influence of biological factors as a limitation?

  • bobo doll experiment found boys more often aggressive than girls
  • hormonal factors such as difference in levels of testosterone. boys have larger quantities
  • testosterone is linked to increased aggressive behaviour
• Evaluate over-reliance on evidence from lab studies as a limitation?

  • many banduras ideas developed through observation of young children in lab setting
  • Demand characteristics
  • In bobo doll experiments, because main purpose of the doll is to strike it, children could have been acting to how it’s expected.
  • Research may tell us little about how children learn aggression in everyday life
• evaluate less determinist than behaviourist approach as a strength?

  • bandura emphasises reciprocal determinist
  • we are not merely influenced by our external environment but we also exert an influence upon it, through the behaviours we choose to peform
  • suggest there is some free will
• What is vicarious reinforcement?

  reinforcement which is not directly experienced by occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour
• what is imitation?

  when an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like them
• what are the 4 mediational processes?

  • attention- notice the behaviour
  • retention- how well the behaviour is remembered
  • motor reproduction- ability of behaviour to be performed
  • motivation- the will to perform the behaviour
• what is identification?

  adopting behaviours show by a role model, because they have a quality the individual wold like to possess
• what did Bandura do?

  • children watched an adult behave aggressively towards a bobo doll
  • these children were later aggressive towards the bobo doll
• what did Bandura and Walter’s do?

  • showed videos to children where an adult behaved aggressively towards the doll
  • one group- watched behaviour be praised
  • second group- watched behaviour be punished
  • last group- behaviour with no consequence
  • most aggresive was the first group