4.2 Social Learning Theory

How does society pass down its norms (sets of rules)?

We learn by observing others

Albert Bandura’s theory

Social Learning involves the following factors Attention- observer must pay attention Retention- observer must be able to

remember behavior Motor reproduction- be able to replicate Motivation-want to demonstrate what

learned

Bandura’s Social LearningObservational

Consistency Id with model – if like ourselves Rewards/punishments-vicarious

reinforcement Liking the model – likeable models are more

likely to be imitated.

What Motivates?

Aims – will children imitate aggression modeled by an adult. Are children more likely to imitate same-sex models?

Participants – 36 boys, 36 girls ages 3-6 Procedure – Divided into groups. One

group saw adults bash “bobo” second group assembled toys third group didn’t see any model

Bandura et al 1961

After watching, children placed in room with toys. Those who watched aggressive models were significantly more aggressive (observational learning)

Boys imitated physical aggression, girls imitated verbal aggression.

Criticisms:Low ecological value – carried out in a lab, does little to predict what happens I child s repeatedly exposed to aggressive parents or violence

Aggression not completely standardized Question of demand chacteristics Is it ethical to show children this violent

behavior

More problems

P. 114 of Psych Course Companion Discuss possible reasons why the results of

this study are so different from results of studies conducted by Bandura.

Television in St. Helena

The result of direct pressure to respond to a request. When people buy certain products even though the direct pressure may not always be apparent

Social Influence: Compliance

Sesame Street – academic and social skills Sabado Method – Miguel Sabido designed

and produced radio and tv drama to aim in changing people’s behavior

Television can be positive

Sabido intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_jD7mG

xu1Y&feature=email

Domestic Violence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v2LmM_

FO-U&feature=related

Social Influence through TV

Charlotte Observer Article

http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/pvtk Do video games make people violent?

What about violent games and media