Social Learning Theory

• What are mediational processes in learning?

  Cognitive factors that influence behavior acquisition
• What are the four mediational processes in Social Learning Theory?

  1. Attention - noticing the behavior
  2. Retention - remembering the behavior
  3. Reproduction - ability to reproduce the behavior
  4. Motivation - will to replicate the behavior
• What does 'attention' refer to in the mediational processes?

  To what extent is the behavior noticed
• What does 'retention' refer to in the mediational processes?

  How well the observed behavior is remembered
• What does 'reproduction' refer to in the mediational processes?

  How able is the observer to reproduce the behavior
• What does 'motivation' refer to in the mediational processes?

  The will to replicate the behavior
• What is identification in the context of Social Learning Theory?

  A desire to associate with a person with desirable traits
• What are potential characteristics of a role model?

  • Similar characteristics
  • Attractive
  • High status in society
  • Charismatic
  • Same sex
• What is vicarious reinforcement?

  Observing others receive rewards motivates imitation
• Do role models need to be physically present for vicarious reinforcement?

  No, they do not need to be present
• What was the aim of Bandura et al (1961)?

  To examine the effect of model's sex on behavior
• Describe the procedure of Bandura et al (1961) study.

  • 8 experimental groups with 36 girls and boys aged 3-6
  • Groups observed same-sex or opposite-sex role models
  • Half observed aggressive, half non-aggressive models
  • Participants observed role models for 10 minutes
  • Frustration induced by not playing with toys
  • Observed playing with toys for 20 minutes
• What did participants observe with the aggressive role model in Bandura's study?

  Hitting the Bobo Doll and shouting abuse
• How long were participants observed while playing with toys?

  20 minutes
• What were the findings regarding children who observed aggressive behavior?

  They were more likely to be aggressive
• How did boys' aggression compare to girls' in Bandura's study?

  Boys were more physically aggressive
• Was there a difference in verbal aggression between boys and girls?

  No difference in levels of verbal aggression
• Who were children more likely to imitate in Bandura's study?

  Same-sex role models
• What are the real-world applications of Social Learning Theory?

  • Explains cultural differences in behavior
  • Accounts for how children learn from others
  • Explains transmission of cultural norms
• What are the cognitive factors in Social Learning Theory?

  • Conditioning alone cannot explain learning
  • Humans and animals store information about behaviors
  • Judgments about actions are made based on stored information
• What are the criticisms of Bandura's lab studies?

  • Participants may respond to demand characteristics
  • Children may behave as expected with Bobo Doll
  • Limited insight into real-life aggression learning
• What is a limitation for the Social Learning Theory?

  • Contrived Lab Studies
  • Many of Bandura‘s ideas were developed through observation of young children‘s behaviour in the lab, however lab studies are often criticised as participants may respond to demand characteristics
  • It has been suggested that the children of the Bobo doll experiment were behaving in a way they thought was expected, as the main purpose of the doll is to strike it
  • This suggests that the research may tell us little about how children actually learn aggression in everyday life
• What is a limitation for the Social Learning Theory?

  • Biological Factors
  • Although Bandura claimed natural biological differences influenced our learning potential, he thought learning itself was determined by the environment
  • However, recent research suggests that observational learning may be the result of mirror neurones in the brain, which allows us to empathise with and imitate other people
  • This suggests that biological influences on social learning were under-emphasised in the social learning theory
• What is a strength for the Social Learning Theory?

  • Cognitive Factors
  • Neither types of conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own
  • Humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions
  • This suggests that the social learning theory provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of meditational processes
• What is a strength for the Social Learning Theory?

  • Real World Application
  • Social learning theory has the advantage of being able to explain cultural differences in behaviour, as modelling, imitation and reinforcement can account for how children learn from others around them
  • This can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies
  • This increased the value of the approach, as it can account for real-world behaviour