approaches- learning approaches: SLT

Question 1

how does SLT feel about the behaviourist approach?

Answer 1

-Bandura agreed with the behaviourist approach that learning occurs through experience
-but it also takes place in a social context through observation and imitation of behaviour

Question 2

what is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 2

learning through observation of the consequences of actions for other people

Question 3

how does vicarious reinforcement link to learning in SLT?

Answer 3

-learning related to consequences of behaviour
-observe others behaviour and take note of consequences
-behaviour seen to be rewarded (reinforced) is more likely to be copied = vicarious reinforcement

Question 4

what are the four mediational (cognitive) processes in learning for SLT?

Answer 4

ARMM
-attention
-retention
-motor reproduction
-motivation

Question 5

attention as a mediational process

Answer 5

when behaviour is noticed

Question 6

retention as a mediational process

Answer 6

whether behaviour is remembered

Question 7

motor reproduction as a mediational process

Answer 7

being able to do it

Question 8

motivation as a mediational process

Answer 8

the will to perform the behaviour

Question 9

do the mediational processes link to learning or performance what does this show for SLT compared to behaviourism?

Answer 9

-first two (AR) relate to learning, last two to performance (MM)
-so unlike behaviourism, learning and performance do not have to occur together

Question 10

who did the Bobo dolls studies?

Answer 10

-Bandura et al. 1961
-Bandura and Walters (1963)

Question 11

procedure for Bandura et al. (1961)

Answer 11

children watched either:
-adult behaving aggressively towards Bobo doll
-adult behaving non-aggressively towards a Bobo doll

Question 12

how does identification play a role in learning?

Answer 12

-people more likely to imitate behaviours of those they identify with
-such roles are similar to observer, attractive and have high status

Question 13

findings of Bandura et al. (1961)

Answer 13

-when given their own doll, children who had seen aggression were much more aggressive towards the doll

Question 14

procedure for Bandura and Walters (1963)

Answer 14

children saw adult who was:
-punished
-rewarded
-no consequence

Question 15

findings of Bandura and Walters (1963)

Answer 15

-when given their own doll, children who saw aggression rewarded were much more aggressive themselves

Question 16

conclusion of Bobo doll studies

Answer 16

-children likely to imitate (model) acts of violence if they observe these ion an adult role model
-also the case that modelling aggressive behaviour is more likely if such behaviour is seen to be rewarded (vicarious reinforcement)

Question 17

ao3 of SLT: emphasises importance of cognitive factors

Answer 17

-neither CC or OC can offer a comprehensive account of human learning on their own bc cognitive factors are omitted
-humans and animals store info ab the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements ab when its appropriate to perform certain actions
-shows SLT provides more complete explanation of human learning than behaviourist approach by recognising the role of mediational processes

Question 18

ao3 of SLT: relies too heavily on evidence from contrived lab studies

Answer 18

-many of Bandura’s ideas developed through observation of children’s behaviour in lab settings and this raises problems of demand characteristics
-main purpose of a Bobo dolls is to hit it. so the children in those studies may have been behaving as they thought was expected
-research may tell us little ab how children actually learned aggression in everyday life

Question 19

ao3 of SLT: real-world application

Answer 19

-social learning principles can account for how children learn from other people around them, as well as through media, and this can explain how cultural norms are transmitted
-proved useful in understanding a range of behaviours such as how children come to understand their gender roles by imitating roles in the media
-increases the value of SLT as it can account for real-world behaviour

Question 20

ao3 of SLT: reciprocal determinism

Answer 20

-bandura emphasised reciprocal determinism- we are influences by our environment, but we also exert an influence upon it through the behaviours we choose to perform
-element of choice suggests theres some free will in the way we behave
-more realistic and flexible position than is suggested by the behaviourist approach as it recognises the role we play in shaping our own environment