Approaches: Social Learning Theory

The Social Learning Theory

1. Outline and evaluate the Social Learning Theory, refer to the Behaviourist approach as part of your evaluation. (AO1 & AO3)

Albert Bandura agreed with the behaviourist approach as far as that our behaviour is learnt through experience. However, he furthered this with Social Learning Theory (SLT), suggesting we also learn through observation and imitation of other’s previous operant and classical conditioned behaviour. This is called vicarious reinforcement; we learn certain behaviour by seeing others being rewarded or punished. So, neither classical nor operant conditioning can offer an adequate definition of learning on their own. This is due to the fact that we learn from others behaviour and judge when it is appropriate to perform certain actions.

Identification is where an observer is more likely to imitate the behaviour of someone who they identify to be a role model for them. This is a process called modelling, in which a person becomes a role model if they have similar characteristics to the observer or have a high status.

The Social Learning Theory adds more depth to the explanation of human learning by recognising mediational processes. Mediational processes are our cognitive thoughts, the mental factors in learning which determine whether a response is required. Bandura identified these four mediational processes;

Attention - The extent to which we notice someone’s certain behaviour.
Retention - How well the behaviour is remembered.
Motor reproduction – The ability of the observer to practice and perform the behaviour themselves.
Motivation – Given a reason, the observer may perform the behaviour. Usually determined by whether the behaviour observed was rewarded or punished.

The Social Learning Theory is a bridge between The Behaviourist Approach and The Cognitive Approach in the respect that it includes how mediational processes are involved in learning whereas the other approaches ignore this completely. SLT is less determinist than the behaviour approach. In the sense that we are not influenced by the environment but we do influence upon it, we choose which behaviours to perform. Bandura emphasised reciprocal determinism and this choice suggests there is an element of free will in the way we behave.

One of the most popular experiments on the SLT was researched by Bandura in 1961. He recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave aggressively towards the Bobo doll (the adult hit the doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it). The children were then given multiple toys to play with, including the Bobo doll. As a result, the children who observed the aggressive behaviour from the adult behaved much more aggressively towards the Bobo doll than their other toys. The children who had not observed the aggressive behaviour did not have the same reaction.

Again in 1963 Bandura and Walters performed another experiment using the SLT, but this time which more involvement of operant conditioning. Three groups of children were shown a video of an adult acting aggressively towards the Bobo doll. The first group saw the adult being praised for the behaviour, this led to the children showing the most aggression towards the Bobo doll. The second group saw the adult being punished for the behaviour, these children reacted the least aggressive. And the third group saw the aggression with no consequence which showed an average amount of aggression. This is an example of positive and negative reinforcement learnt through vicarious reinforcement.

Bandura’s results were criticised because of the issue that his experiments were often based on children in highly controlled lab settings. The problem with this is that children may react differently and how they think are expected to act because they are in a professional environment. Another negative factor of Bandura’s research is the impact of biological factors on Social Learning. A consistent finding in his results was that boys were more aggressive to the Bobo doll than girls. This could purely be because of hormonal factors and the higher level of testosterone in boys, which is linked to the increase of aggressive behaviour. Both these factors, decrease the reliability of Bandura’s research.

The positive factors of The Social Learning Theory are that it explains cultural differences in behaviours. It shows how a child’s principles are learnt by the people around them and who they have grown up with. It has proved useful in understanding different behaviours and how children understand their gender role.

2. Outline what is meant by the term identification in relation to the Social Learning Theory Approach? (AO1)

Identification is when an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model. This relates to social learning theory because an observer (usually a child) is more likely to imitate the behaviour of people who they identify as their role models (usually an adult). This process is modelling; this is where the observer imitates the role models behaviour precisely.

3. Explain one limitation of the Social Learning Theory Approach? (AO3)

One limitation for the Social Learning Theory is that it is over-reliant on evidence from lab studies. For example, Bandura’s ideas were developed through observation of children’s behaviour in lab settings. This is criticised because the participants may react differently in lab settings, then they would do in to a real life situation, thus is lacks ecological validity. If a child is being placed in a controlled environment, they could act as they believe is expected (demand characteristics) rather than how they usually would, which gives us unreliable information.

4. Using the social earning principles explain why media (such as violent videos) may potentially have negative impact on children’s behaviour? (AO2)

Violent videos and movies may have a negative impact on children because they may identify themselves with the villains and see them as a role model. This could lead to imitation of the actor and give the child morally wrong behaviour because they do not see the person being punished for their actions through vicarious reinforcement. Especially in movies, some villains are glamourized which children will admire and aspire to be like them so they copy their bad behaviour.

5. How might the media vicariously reinforce violence and aggression? (AO2)

This is done through actors playing a part where bad actions are not always punished. Children notice that there is not always a consequence for the bad behaviour and will have no reason to hesitate and repeat the behaviour if given the chance.

Definitions:

Social Learning Theory

A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement.

Imitation

Copying the behaviour of others.

Identification

When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like them.

Modelling

Imitating the behaviour of a role model. The precise demonstration of a specific behaviour which may be imitated by an observer.

Vicarious reinforcement

Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour.

Vicarious Punishment