Question

1a) Provide a thorough description and explanation of Bandura's Social Learning Theory. (300-350 words)

1b) Identify and explain the ethical issues with this theory. (150-200 words)

Answer 1

1.a. At the starting of the 20th century, the behavioral approach to psychology was the most dominant approach. Behaviourist talked about how all the behaviour are result of learned and conditioning response. Bandura stated thatreinforcement cannot be held responsible for all the types of learning which result into consequence behaviour.
Bandura argued that people learn through observation and also emphasized that mental states are also responsible for the types of learning. One of the most important parts of social learning theory is that not every learning leads to a behavioural change.
Bandura categorised determinants of human behaviour into three factors-
1) Cognitive factors which are also called personal factors which comprise of knowledge, expectations and attitudes.
2) Environmental factors which involves social norms, access in community and influence on others which refers to has the ability to change our environment.
3) Behavioral factors which include skills, practice and self efficacy.
It should be noted that bandura is one of the first researchers in the field of self efficacy.

1.b. Bandura's theory was criticized for the unethical approach while doing experiment with kids. Bandura conducted a controlled experiment to study learning of aggressive behaviour in children by exposing them to different scenarios where these students are divided into groups out of which one group is shown aggressive behaviours. This was considered ethical by many. These students in few cases ended up learning this behaviour.