Sociocultural Level of Analysis 4.2 Social and cultural norms SLT
Social Learning Theory Albert Bandura’s theory is that through observational learning, individuals learn a society or culture’s norms. By watching “models” and imitating their behaviour Direct indirect
Social learning theory Involves the four following factors: Attention Retention Motor reproduction Motivation
Motivation Motivation is more complex and there are several factors that may influence: Consistency Identification with the model Rewards/punishment (vicarious reinforcement) Liking the model
SLT – research SLT has been used to explain many things and in particular the role of violence and aggression Bandura Ross & Ross. 1961 – “Transmission of aggression through imitation of aggressive models” see handout and on p. 112-113 http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4586465813762682933#
Application of SLT in real life Can you think of any?
Application of SLT in real life Support for SLT is found by Eron 1986 who carried out a longitudinal study over 15 years – positive correlation number of hours of violence watched on TV and level of aggression Study in Canada by Kimball & Zabrack 1986, also showed same results after TV was introduced But, could be another factor involved? (remember weakness with correlational studies)
Be a critical thinker The other side of the argument on p. 114
Evaluation of social learning theory Helps to explain why behaviours may be passed down in a family or within a culture Explains why children acquire behaviour without trial-and-error learning Does not explain why some people never learn a behaviour Difficult to establish 100 % that the behaviour comes from observing the model Might not show the learned behavour for some time