5.3 Social learning theory Flashcards
What is social learning theory or SLT?
The theory that other people can influence our behaviour.
list three basic assumptions of social learning theory.
behaviour is learned as a result of the observation of others
modelling: models produce admirable behaviour
generalisation: Bandura’s bobo doll study
mediation processes: required for social learning to take place (imitation, identification, vicarious reinforcement.)
when looking at social learning theory, nature and/or nurture?
Both.
Nurture: primarily nurture in that people learn as a result of observing others.
Nature: however, it is generally assumed that the capacity to learn from an observation of others has some adaptive value, and is likely to be innate.
when looking at social learning theory, scientific or nonscientific? (methods and theories; explain)
social learning aligns itself with the scientific method but research can lack validity.
research investigations are reliable and allow inferences about cause and effect to be drawn. however this does mean that research, e.g Bandura’s ‘bobo doll’ study, tends to be carried out in rather artificial settings, so can lack validity in terms of real life behaviour.
when looking at social learning theory, determinism or free will?
Free will:
Behaviour is determined by observations of others (vicarious learning) and so behaviour is largely a product of our experience. However, although the learning process provides the ‘tools’ to conduct a particular behaviour, it is up to the individual how and when to apply these tools.
when looking at social learning theory, reductionism or holism?
Partially reductionist:
This approach shares elements of both the the behaviourist and cognitive approach
positive evaluations/strengths of social learning theory
SLT allows us to understand criminal behaviour to a certain extent (Ulrich)
Social learning theory tells us that learning is more effective from similar models than dissimilar models (Fox and Bailenson)
Identification is important in SLT: this has positive applications in health campaigns etc..
negative evaluations/limitations of social learning theory approach.
Advocates of social learning theory disregard other potential influences on behaviour
Criticism of view of criminal behaviour due to exposure to deviant models, ignore other possible biological and environmental factors (Siegel and McCormick)
what is identification
a form of influence where an individual adopts an attitude or behaviour because they want to be associated with a particular person or group
what is imitation?
the action of using someone or something as a model and copying their behaviour
define mediational processes
refers to the internal mental processes that exist between environmental stimuli and the response made by an individual to those stimuli
what is modelling?
a form of learning where individuals learn a particular behaviour by observing another individual performing the behaviour
define social learning theory
learning through observing others and imitating behaviours that are rewarded
define vicarious reinforcement
learning that is not a result of direct reinforcement of behaviour, but through observing someone else being reinforced for that behaviour
key study: Bandura et al. Bobo doll study.
describe the procedure + findings
procedure:
- children observed aggressive or non-aggressive models interacting with bobo doll
- the aggressive model displayed distinctive physical and verbal aggressive acts toward the doll
- children then allowed to interact with the bobo doll
findings:
- children who observed the aggressive model imitated their aggression
- children who observed the non-aggressive model showed little aggression
