1. Social Learning Theory
Explain Social Learning Theory, making reference to TWO relevant studies

2. Social-Learning theory
Most Behaviorists explain behavior with the ABCs
A  Antecedents (Events preceding behavior)
B  Behavior itself
C  Consequences of behavior
Social-Learning theorists emphasize observing others in a social setting

4. Dollard and Miller (1950)
Theory: most learning is the result of observation, not standard conditioning
Why?
Humans have attitudes, beliefs and expectations
Impact the way we make decisions, reason and solve problems
Soft Determinism
BUT…still not investigating ‘cognition’

5. Albert Bandura Social Cognitive Theory
behavior is learned and maintained through observation and imitation of others
positive consequences
cognitive processes
Plans, expectations, and beliefs.
Observational Learning
A process in which an individual learns new responses by observing the behavior of another (a model)
rather than through direct experience
Conditioning

7. Bandura and Aggression

8. Bandura’s Hypothesis Aggressive models Nonaggressive models
imitated more than nonaggressive
Nonaggressive models
less aggressive than those who observed aggression and the control group (no model)
Same Sex Model
Imitate more than opposite sex
Gender of Participant
Males are more predisposed than girls toward imitating aggression

9. Method (Experimental)
Subjects
36 boys and 36 girls (ranging from 3 – 6 years old)
Experimental Conditions
24 => control group without model
48 => two groups (one without aggressive model and one with)
Gender and Model Conditions
8 experimental group and one control group
Dependent Variable: Level of Aggression
Through Observation

10. Experimental Procedure
Observation Stage
Brought children into playroom
invited adult model to join the game
adult was taken into a corner with tinker toy set, mallet, and bobo doll (10 minute period)
Aggressive Model  attack the Bobo doll
Nonaggressive Model  ignored Bobo doll
Modeling Stage
Create anger and frustration
taking away their toys
lead them into another room
aggressive toys (Bobo doll)
nonaggressive toys (Tea set)

11. Data measurement Observation Measure of Aggression
Eight responses measured
Imitate physical aggression of model
Imitation of verbal aggression of model
Mallet aggression
Nonimitative aggression

12. Results (put with hypothesis info)
3 of the 4 hypothesis supported
Aggressive models
imitated more than nonaggressive
Nonaggressive models (Inconclusive)
less aggressive than those who observed aggression and the control group
Same Sex Model
Imitate more than opposite sex
Boys: 104 vs. 48.4
Girls: 57.7 vs 36.3
Gender of Participant
Males are more predisposed than girls toward imitating aggression
270 vs. 128 Acts of Violence

13. Method Analysis Strength Limitation
Controlled Experimental Observation
Highly controlled IV and DV
8 structured items being observed
Limitation
Too much control impacts external validity
BUT…the students did not know it was an experiment
Deception (Ethics)

14. Gender/Culture Application
Males were more aggressive
Culturally accepted?
Separated data into specific gender
applies to both gender (Strength)
Model those that are similar (Girl Models Girl)
Strengthens culturally accepted behavior
Culture
Applies only to children the US
Results cannot be applied outside the school setting
Less external validity

15. Bandura’s Study supports SLT
Vicarious (observational) Learning
Children clearly learned specific aggressive behavior
Children were not rewarded or punished
Vicarious learning
Criticism
Is this real aggression?
Demand characteristics: “expected to show aggression”
Doesn’t explain aggressive behavior that isn’t learned

16. Link to Biology Definition of mirror neurons
Motor neurons fire when observing behavior
How does this link to SLT?
What mental disorder has limited mirror neurons?
How would this impact SLT?

17. Social Learning Begins Early!

18. Gergely et al., 2002 Theory: SLT and selective imitation in infants
Two conditions (viewed an adult model)
Hands-free condition
Hands on table, press light with head
69% used their head
Hands occupied condition
Hands holding blanket, press light with head
ONLY  21% used their head
Implications
Support cognition part of Social Learning Theory
Used abstract and complex forms of cognition

19. Charlton et al., 2002
Aim: investigate whether children in St. Helena would exhibit more aggressive behavior after the introduction of television in 1995
Method: Field Study (Nothing was manipulated or controlled by experimenters)
Procedure:
Participants: 3-8
Aggressive television matched UK exposure
Observation
Cameras observed behavior at school playgrounds
Interviews
Parents, teachers, children

20. Results: no increase in aggressive or antisocial behavior
Same after 5 years
Implications
No apparent change in behavior after TV exposure
Interview results
Anitsocial behavior was not permitted
High degree of social control in community
May learn behavior but not show it
Social and cultural factors play a role in what is acceptable (expressed)

21. Evaluation of Charlton et al., 2002 High ecological validity
Real life event
Does not limit SLT
Limits Bandura’s research
Confirm the motivation component of SLT

22. Zimbardo Film Assignment: Take Notes
Theory, aim, procedure, results, ethics

23. How is Social Learning Changing?
Technology
Gender roles…so simple