outline and evaluate the social learning theory 16 marks

assumptions of social learning theory

Behaviour is learnt from the environment

behaviour is learnt from observing others and the reinforcement/ punishment They receive

behaviour that is observed being rewarded is imitated

individuals are most likely to imitate the behaviour of role models i.e. those they identify with identification can be defined as…

vicarious reinforcement define

extent to which an individual relates to a model and feels that they are similar or wishes to be them e.g. similar age

vicarious reinforcement is when observing the positive consequences of a model’s behaviour like receiving award makes imitation more like likely

what are mediational processes and what are the four parts

they are internal mental processes that exist between observing your behaviour (stimulus ) and imitating it or not( response)

attention is to closely observed the behaviour of the model

Retention is forming a memory of the behaviour observed

Reproduction is thinking if it’s physically possible to imitate the behaviour

motivation is if the perceived rewards outweigh the perceived costs than the individual is more motivated to imitate the behaviour

advantage one hint: mediational / soft determinism

P. unlike the behaviourist approach social learning theory acknowledges the role of thought ( mediations) processes in learning behaviour( soft determinism)

E- reject the idea that individuals passively observe an imitate the behaviour arguing instead that cognitive factors mediate the learning process to determine whether behaviour is retained and produced

C SLTallows for some free will and is less deterministic than behaviourist

however cognitive processes are not directly observable - they are inferred rather than meat objectively- reducing its scientific validity

advantage 2 hint: scientific

P- social learning theory of scientific approach is supported by experimental research evidence

E- found in his Bobo doll study that children who observed an adult behaving aggressively towards Bobo doll we’re more likely to imitate similar aggressive behaviours

C- This research support social learning theory as it demonstrates that behaviour can be learned through observation imitation providing experimental evidence for the theory

however, this studies lab setting may lack ecological validity as children hitting a Bobo doll may not reflect how they would behave in real life situations

advantage three - hint real life application

P- The approach can successfully explain the initiation of certain behaviours as well as cultural differences in behaviour

E- For example children may imitate aggressive behaviour observed and parents pays and media role models particularly when those models are rewarded. Cultural difference in behaviour can also be explained by observing and imitating behaviours are accepted with a particular society.

C- The principles of social learning have therefore being usefully applied to reducing under undesirable behaviour and promoting positive behaviours e.g. through role models in educational programs

disadvantage hint doesn’t explain all behaviour

it is not a full explanation for all behaviour as it cannot explain behaviours whether there is no apparent role model and to underestimate the influence of biological factors

for example, social learning theory can’t fully explain behaviours that develop without an apparent role model such as certain instinctive or reflex behaviours. It may also underestimate biological influences such as genetic factors affecting behaviour

It’s difficult to establish whether observing a role model causes behaviour or if individuals with existing behavioural tendencies are more likely to identify with and imitate particular models