evaluation (social learning theory)

recognition of cognitive factors - strength or weakness

strength

recognition of cognitive factors - point

SLT recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning.

recognition of cognitive factors - evidence

mediational processes are important in explaining how humans store information about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements about when to use it

recognition of cognitive factors - explain

behaviourism does not adequately account for how humans learn on their own, unlike SLT

recognition of cognitive factors - link

this suggests that SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes

underemphasis on biological factors - strength or weakness

weakness

underemphasis on biological factors - point

the assumption that all behaviour is learned ignores the influence of biology

underemphasis on biological factors - evidence

boys were more aggressive than girls in the bobo doll study

underemphasis on biological factors - explanation

this theory ignores the fact that testosterone, which is more prevalent in men, tends to provoke more aggressive behaviour

underemphasis on biological factors - link

it does not account for all behaviour, e.g. why some people are more aggressive than others. therefore it is a limited explanation of human behaviour

underemphasis on biological factors - counterpoint

this is not a strong criticism, as Bandura did recognise that biological instincts exist and motivate behaviour. he simply emphasised the role of social learning

lack of (internal validity) - strength or weakness

weakness

underemphasis on biological factors - point

Bandura’s 1961 experiment may lack internal validity

underemphasis on biological factors - evidence

one factor is demand characteristics

underemphasis on biological factors - explanation

the main purpose of the bobo doll as a toy was to be hit

underemphasis on biological factors - link

therefore the novelty of how the doll behaves when hit may be a bigger factor in how the children interact with the doll, then the behaviour they observe from the adults. thus demand characteristics may play a bigger part in complex lives than an independent variable in a lab, and Bandura’s variable cannot be relied upon

underemphasis on biological factors - counterpoint

however, the 1963 study that demonstrated vicarious reinforcement does show that the importance of social learning for aggressive behaviour

real world application - strength or weakness

strength

real world application - point

SLT has many useful applications to the real world such as explaining aggression

real world application - evidence

Ulrich (2003) found that the strongest cause of violent behaviour in adolescence was association with delinquent peer groups, where violence was both modelled and rewarded

real world application - explanation

this is clear evidence that behaviour is learnt through observation and then imitated

real world application - link

as a result, SLT’s explanation increases our understanding of criminal behaviour and allows us to prevent young people from identifying with criminal models