3) social learning theory Flashcards
What are the assumptions of SLT?
-agreed with the behaviourist that much of our behaviour is learned from experience
-argued that people learn through observation, modelling and imitation of others
Who was a key figure in proposing SLT and what did he argue?
-Bandura
-argued that classical and operant conditioning could not account for all human learning
How does SLT relate to behaviourism?
They both look at mental processes
What is the purpose of role models in SLT?
-people are more likely to imitate a role model if they identify with them
-modelling is a process that occurs during social learning
-modelling can occur when an observer imitates a role model
How does learning occur according to SLT?
-directly through classical conditioning
-indirectly through vicarious reinforcement
->learning though observation of the consequences of actions for other people
What are mediational processes and how do they support learning according to SLT?
-there is some thought prior to imitation and the thought process is called mediational processes
-occurs between observing the behaviour and imitating it or not
-attention -> for a behaviour to be imitated, it has to grab our attention
-retention -> the behaviour is remembered (a memory is formed)
-motor reproduction -> ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
-motivation -> rewards and punishments that follow the behaviour will be considered by the observer
What research method did Bandura use in his bobo doll experiment?
Covert observation
What was Bandura’s aim?
To see if the child would copy the aggression seen
What was the IV in Bandura’s experiment?
The child’s exposure to the aggression
What was the DV in Bandura’s experiment?
The child’s aggression
What observational technique was used in Bandura’s experiment?
Covert observation (observer was hidden)
What is the direct hypothesis of Bandura’s experiment?
-the children who saw the lady being aggressive to the doll will be more aggressive then the children that didn’t
What was Bandura’s procedure?
-the lady would act aggressively towards the doll
-one group of children would watch her
-the control group would not
-the children would then be allowed to play with the same doll
What were Bandura’s findings?
-the children who DID watch the aggressive behaviour portrayed more aggressive
(Some children even held the gun to the doll)
What is a potential problem with Bandura’s experiment?
-unethical
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