Social Learning Theory

Albert Bandura

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHi2dxSf9hw

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson you should be able to:

describe Social Learning Theory

apply Social Learning Theory to crime

describe Research Studies to support the social learning theory of aggression

It has been estimated that a child entering secondary school will

have seen 8,000 murders and 100,000 other violent

acts on TV.

Eron (1995)

Social Learning Theory

Key Terms

Observational Learning

Vicarious (Indirect) Reinforcement

Vicarious (Indirect) Punishment

Model Imitation Mental Representation

(Cognition)Graphic Organiser

Research Study

Bandura et al. (1961)

Video Clip

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bandura+bobo+doll&search_type=

Social Learning Stages

Attention

Retention

Reproduction

Motivation

Model Characteristics

Age

Gender

Status

Exam Question

Describe the social learning theory of criminal behaviour. [8 marks]

Exam Board Mark Scheme

The role of direct reinforcement in aggression

The role of indirect reinforcement in aggression

The role of observational learning

Modelling (e.g. stages, characteristics of the role model)

Key studies into the social learning theory of aggression (e.g. Bandura et al’s ‘Bobo doll’ study)

Review

True - False

1

Social learning theory explains how behaviour is learnt by observing others.

2

A child is more likely to imitate the behaviour of a model who is younger than them.

3

Vicarious reinforcement is when the child is directly rewarded for copying the models behaviour.

4

Social learning theory fails to take into account the role of cognitive factors.

5

Balama et al. (1961) conducted a research study to investigate the effects of social learning on aggression in children.

6

Social learning theory can explain how behaviour can be learnt without necessarily being performed.

7

The children were split into 3 groups in the Bobo Doll experiment.

8

Girls are more likely to imitate male models as males are generally more aggressive.

9

Social Learning Theory only involves both direct and indirect reinforcement.

10

Children are more likely to show aggression if they observe someone being punished for aggressive behaviour.