Approaches - social learning theory Flashcards
imitation
action of using someone or something as a model and copying their behaviour
identification
form of influence where an individual adopts a behaviour to be accepted by a particular group/person
modelling
individuals learn behaviour by observing another individual performing that behaviour
vicarious reinforcement
learning through observing others and imitating behaviours that are rewarded
mediational processes
internal mental processes that exist between stimuli and response
what are the key features of social learning theory?
- reproduction of behaviour is motivated by models receiving reinforcement
- mediating cognitive functions are important in observational learning
attention
the extent to which we notice certain behaviours
retention
how well behaviour is remembered in LTM
motor reproduction
ability of observer to perform behaviour
motivation
expect same positive reinforcement of behaviour that the model received
when is imitation more likely?
when an individual identifies with the model and when the model’s behaviour is positively reinforced
who researched social learning theory and when?
Bandura in 1961
what was Bandura’s research into social learning?
36 boys, 36 girls ages 3-6 split into 3 groups.
G1 = model hitting and shouting at doll
G2 = non-aggressive model
G3 = no model (control group)
taken to room with Bobo doll, aggressive and non-aggressive toys
what were the results of Bandura’s study?
G1 were most aggressive, they imitated specific acts from model
boys were imitating more physically aggressive acts
girls and boys same amount of verbal aggression.
what was the follow up study to Bandura’s bobo doll experiment?
Bandura and Walters (1963)
same as bobo doll but model had consequences
G1 = praised
G2 = punished
G3 = no consequences
group 1 were the most aggressive and group 2 were the least aggressive, showing the importance of vicarious reinforcement
