Approaches in Psychology - Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What is the learning theory all about?
- We are born as “blank slates” (tabula rasa)
- All we have at birth is the capacity to learn
- All behaviour is learned from the environment
- Focus of the approach: observable behaviour
What is reinforcement?
Anything which has the effect of increasing the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated.
What is positive reinforcement?
Anything which has the effect of increasing the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated by using consequences that are pleasant when they happen.
What is negative reinforcement?
This occurs when an unpleasant event is stopped (therefore there are positive consequences).
What is punishment?
Anything which has the effect of decreasing the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated by using consequences that are unpleasant.
What is schedule of reinforcement?
When and how often we reinforce a behaviour can have a significant impact on the strength and rate of the response.
What are the two types of schedules of reinforcement?
Continuous reinforcement: the desired behaviour is reinforced every single time it occurs.
Partial reinforcement: the response is reinforced only part of the time.
What is fixed ratio schedules?
The response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses.
What is variable-ratio schedules?
They occur when a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses.
What is fixed-interval schedules?
The first response is rewarded only after a specified amount of time has elapsed.
What is variable-interval schedules?
They occur when a response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time has passed.
What is neo-behaviourism: social learning?
Learning by observation and imitation.
What did Bandura believe that the four criteria needed for imitation to occur were?
- Attention to the role model.
- Retention of the observed behaviour.
- Reproduction of the target behaviour.
- Motivation to imitate the observed behaviour.
Who makes an effective role model?
- same gender
- similarity
- higher status
- admired or/and respected
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Observing behaviour being reinforced in other people.
What are the key assumptions of social learning theory?
- Learning that occurs indirectly.
- Learning related to consequences of behaviour (vicarious reinforcement).
- Mediational (cognitive) processes play a crucial role in learning.
- Identification with role models is important.
- Imitation of aggression.
- Children model aggressive behaviour.
Explain why learning that occurs indirectly is a key assumption.
Albert Bandura agreed with the behaviourist approach that learning occurs through experience. However, he also proposed that learning takes place in a social context through observation and imitation of others’ behaviour.
Explain why learning related to consequences of behaviour is a key assumption.
Children (and adults) observe other people’s behaviour and take note of its consequences. Behaviour that is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) is much more likely to be copied than behaviour that is punished. Bandura called this vicarious reinforcement.
What are the four mediational processes in learning?
- Attention - whether behaviour is noticed.
- Retention - whether behaviour is remembered.
- Motor reproduction - being able to do it.
- Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour.
The first two relate to the learning of behaviour, the last two to the performance of behaviour (so, unlike behaviourism, learning and performance do not have to occur together).
Explain why identification with role models is a key assumption.
Children are more likely to imitate the behaviour of people with whom they identify. Such role models are similar to the observer, tend to be attractive and have high status.
Describe Bandura’s research 1.
Children watched either:
- An adult behaving aggressively towards a Bobo doll.
- An adult behaving non-aggressively towards a Bobo doll.
When given their own doll to play with, the children who had seen aggression were much more aggressive towards the doll.
Describe Bandura’s research 2.
Children saw adult who was:
- rewarded
- punished
- there was no consequence
When given their own doll, the children who saw the aggression rewarded were much more aggressive themselves.
Explain why children modelling aggressive behaviour is a key assumption.
The Bobo doll studies suggest that children are likely to imitate (model) acts of violence if they observe these in an adult role model. It is also the case that modelling aggressive behaviour is more likely if such behaviour is seen to be rewarded (vicarious reinforcement).
What are the strengths of social learning theory?
- SLT emphasises the importance of cognitive factors in learning.
- SLT can account for cultural differences in behaviour.
- SLT is less determinist than the behaviourist approach.
