5. The Learning Approach: Social Learning Theory AO1 Flashcards
Outline the social learning theory
Bandura agreed with the behaviourist approach - learning occurs through experience + learning takes place in social contexts through observation and imitation of others
What is vicarious reinforcement?
People observe others behaviour and take notes of consequences, behaviour that is seen to be rewarded is much more likely to be copied than punished behaviour
What play a crucial role in learning?
Mediational processes)
What are the 4 mediational processes?
- Attention
- Retention
- Motor reproduction
- Motivation
What is attention in the mediational processes?
Whether behaviour is noticed
What is retention in the mediational processes?
Whether behaviour is remembered
What is motor reproduction in the mediational processes?
Being able to do it
What is motivation in the mediational processes?
The will to do it
What is different in the social learning theory to behaviourism?
Learning and performance to not have to occur together
attention, retention are learning whereas Motor reproduction, motivation or performance
Explain identification
Children are more likely to imitate the behaviour of people who they identify with, these role models tend to be attractive and have high status
Outline Bandura’s first study
Children watched an adult who either:
- Behaved aggressively towards bobo doll
- Behaved non-aggressively towards bobo doll
When given own doll play with, children who had seen aggression were more aggressive towards doll
Outline Bandura’s second study
Children watched an adult was either:
- Rewarded
- Punished
- Neither
When given own doll play with, children who saw aggression rewarded were much more aggressive
Explain modelling in the social learning theory
The Bobo doll studies suggest children are likely to imitate acts of violence if observed in an adult role model
Modelling aggressive behaviour is more likely if behaviour is seen to be rewarded
