approaches : social learning theory Flashcards
What is the social learning theory?
A theory proposed by Bandura in which people learn through observation and imitation of others
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Reinforcement that is not directly experienced but observed through someone being observed for a behaviour. This is usually a reward.
What are mediational processes?
The mental processes involved in learning
What is the mediational process of attention?
The extent to which we notice certain behaviour
What is the mediational process of retention?
How well behaviour is remembered
What is the mediational process of motor reproduction?
The ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
What is the mediational process of motivation?
The will to perform a behaviour
What is identification?
It is when people are more likely to imitate a behaviour of someone they identify with (modelling)
When might someone become a role model?
- similar characteristics
- attractive to the observer
- higher status
What was the research done by Bandura in 1961?
It recorded the behaviour of children who observed an adult being aggressive to a Bobo Doll
What was found from the research in 1961?
Later those children showed aggressiveness towards the Bobo Dolls and other toys
What was the research done by Bandura in 1963?
It showed videos of adults being aggressive to Bobo Dolls. 1 group saw the adult praised for the behaviour, the 2nd group saw the adult getting punished and the 3rd group saw no consequence.
What were the observations of group 1?
They showed more aggression.
How does social learning theory provide a better explanation of human learning through the mediational processes?
It highlights how we have to retain in order to reproduce. We may not have the cognitive skills to reproduce which is a more detailed account than behaviourism on how we learn.
How does social learning theory help us understand cultural differences in behaviour?
Principles such as modelling, imitation and reinforcement account for how children learn from others and through media and how cultural norms are passed on. This is useful to learn how children learn gender roles which increases the value of the approach as it can be applied to real-life behaviour.
