social learning theory

• What is the first assumption of Social Learning Theory?

  Learning takes place by observing and imitating role models.
• How did Albert Bandura argue that learning occurs according to Social Learning Theory?

  1. We learn indirectly from others in our environment.
  2. This happens by observing their behavior.
  3. We then imitate the behavior we have seen.
  4. Behavior is learned through modelling.
• What are the two types of modelling?

  1. Demonstrating behavior to an observer.
  2. The observer imitating the behavior.
• What does imitation involve in Social Learning Theory?

  Imitation is the action of using someone or something else as a model and coping/imitating the behavior observed.
• What are the four mediating cognitive processes in Social Learning Theory (ARMM)?

  1. Attention: Focusing on the role model's behavior.
  2. Retention: Remembering the observed behavior.
  3. Motivation: Wanting to imitate the behavior.
  4. Motor Reproduction: Being physically capable of performing the behavior.
• While evaluating a study for Social Learning Theory, what should you focus on?

  How the study supports or contradicts key Social Learning Theory ideas.
• What was the aim of Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment?

  To investigate whether children could observe and imitate a role model acting aggressively towards a Bobo doll.
• What was the experimental design of Bandura's Bobo Doll study?

  1. Two experimental groups:

  • Aggressive role model group
  • Non-aggressive role model group

  
  

  1. Post-observation phase:

  • Children alone with doll and toys.
• What was the main finding of Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment?

  Children who observed the aggressive adult were more aggressive to the doll than those who watched the non-aggressive adult.
• What conclusion did Bandura draw from the Bobo Doll experiment?

  Children learn aggression through observation and imitation of aggressive behavior shown by role models.
• Why might demand characteristics have been present in Bandura's Bobo Doll study?

  Children may have interpreted the role models' behavior as instructions to act aggressively and therefore imitated them to please the researcher.
• How might psychologists criticize the findings related to gender differences in aggression in Bandura's study?

  They could argue that boys naturally have more testosterone and are genetically predisposed to display more aggressive behavior compared to girls.
• What is vicarious reinforcement, and how does it influence learning?

  • Vicarious reinforcement occurs when reinforcement is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behavior.

  
  

  • Influences learning by making behaviors more likely to be repeated if the role model is rewarded and extinguished if punished.
• Describe the experimental design of Bandura and Walters' 1963 study on vicarious reinforcement.

  1. Three experimental groups:

  • Rewarded aggression group
  • Punished aggression group
  • No aggression (control) group

  
  

  1. Observation phase:

  • Children observed designated adult behavior towards Bobo doll.

  
  

  1. Measurement:

  • Compared aggression levels across the three groups.
• What were the key findings of Bandura and Walters' study on vicarious reinforcement?

  The study showed that aggression increases when a role model is rewarded (increases), and decreases when the model is punished (decreases).
• How does the concept of free will differ between Social Learning Theory and Behaviorism?

  Social Learning Theory acknowledges that humans have free will, as behavior is influenced by motivation to imitate, implying personal choice.

  
  

  Behaviorism asserts determinism, where behavior is solely determined by environmental influences and individuals have no control.
• What are the four stages of the mediational process according to ARMM?

  1. Attention
  2. Retention
  3. Motivation
  4. Motor Reproduction
• What is the difference in views on free will between Social Learning Theory and Behaviorism?

  SLT acknowledges free will by stating that individuals are motivated to imitate behaviors, indicating personal choice.

  
  

  Behaviorism denies free will, claiming behavior is controlled by environmental forces and individuals are passive.