SLT Banduras research

What approach is Bandura associated with?

The Social Learning Theory (SLT) – part of the learning approach.

What does Social Learning Theory suggest?

That behaviour is learned through observation and imitation of others.

Who do we tend to imitate according to Bandura?

Role models who we identify with and who are rewarded for their behaviour.

What are the four mediational processes identified by Bandura?

Attention

What is the Attention process in SLT?

Noticing the behaviour of the model.

What is the Retention process in SLT?

Remembering what the model did.

What is the Reproduction process in SLT?

Having the ability to perform the observed behaviour.

What is the Motivation process in SLT?

The desire to perform the behaviour

What is vicarious reinforcement?

Learning by observing someone else being rewarded or punished for their behaviour.

What did Bandura show about vicarious reinforcement?

That children are more likely to imitate behaviour if they see a model being rewarded for it.

What was the aim of Bandura’s Bobo Doll study?

To investigate whether children would imitate aggressive behaviour observed in an adult model.

Who were the participants in Bandura’s Bobo Doll study?

72 children aged 3–6 years (36 boys

What were the three conditions in Bandura’s experiment?

Aggressive model

What did children in the aggressive model condition observe?

An adult behaving aggressively towards a Bobo doll (e.g. hitting

What did children in the non-aggressive model condition observe?

An adult playing calmly with toys and ignoring the Bobo doll.

What did the control group experience?

No adult model.

What were the findings of Bandura’s Bobo Doll study?

Children who observed the aggressive model showed more imitative aggressive behaviour than the other groups.

What difference was found between boys and girls in Bandura’s study?

Boys showed more physical aggression than girls

What conclusion did Bandura draw from his research?

Behaviour can be learned indirectly through observation and imitation

What is the difference between direct and vicarious reinforcement?

Direct reinforcement happens when you are rewarded for your own behaviour; vicarious reinforcement occurs when you see someone else being rewarded.

What is identification in SLT?

When an observer relates to a model and wants to be like them

What characteristics make a model more likely to be imitated?

Being of high status

What are the strengths of Bandura’s Social Learning Theory?

It emphasises cognitive factors in learning

What are the limitations of Bandura’s Social Learning Theory?

It underestimates biological factors (e.g. testosterone and aggression)

What ethical issue could be raised about the Bobo Doll study?

Children were exposed to aggressive behaviour

How does Bandura’s research link to behaviourism?

It extends behaviourism by adding the role of cognitive processes in learning.

How does SLT explain gender differences in behaviour?

Children may imitate same-sex models