Approaches: Social Learning theory Flashcards
What is the social learning theory?
suggests that social behaviour is learned by observing and imitating the behaviour of others.
what are the social learning theory assumptions?
- behaviour is learned through observation/ imitation of others
- SLT suggests operant and classical conditioning happens directly and indirectly.
what is vicarious reinforcement?
the learning of a behaviour by observing the positive and negative consequences of the actions of others.
(this is a key factor in imitation)
what is mediating processes?
cognitive factors (thought processes) happening between the stimulus(observation) and response(imitation) that affects the likelihood of it being imitated
List and explain the mediating processes in learning.
- Attention = for a behaviour to be imitated it has to grab out attention.
- Retention = how well the behaviour is remembered.
- Reproduction = the ability of the observer to perform behaviour
- Motivation = the will to perform the behaviour, often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished.
what is identification?
when the observer associates themsleves with a role model and wants to be like them.
Explain Bandura’s Research on social learning theory.
aim - to investigate if social behaviours can be acquired by observation and then produced by imitation.
method - 36 boys, 36 girls aged 3 to 6.
recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards Bodo Doll. The adult hit the doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it.
Results - When these children were later observed they behaved more aggressively towards the doll and the other toys than those who had observed the non-aggressive adult.
conclusion = children are able to learn social behaviour such as aggression through the process of observation learning.
Evaluation of SLT
P - one strength of slt is that there is research evidence to support its beliefs.
E - for example, Bandura found that children would imitate aggressive role models and display novel behaviours they had observered them previously, particularly if the role model was similar to them
E - This is a strength as it improves the vadility of the approach
L - Meaning that slt can effectively explain some forms of human behaviour
P - One weakness of Social Learning Theory (SLT) is its narrow focus on nurture, neglecting the role of nature in shaping behavior.
E - SLT emphasizes learning through observation and imitation of others in the environment, largely overlooking the influence of biological mechanisms like genetics or hormones.
E - This is a weakness because research in biological psychology has shown that genetic factors and hormones play a significant role in influencing behavior, suggesting that behavior is not solely shaped by social learning.
L - As a result, SLT provides an incomplete understanding of behavior and does not fully support psychology as a comprehensive science that considers both biological and environmental factors.
P - Another weakness of SLT is that it is not as scientific as other approaches.
E - SLT recognizes mediating cognitive processes, such as thinking and decision-making, which are subjective and cannot be directly observed.
E - This makes SLT difficult to study objectively, which weakens its empirical support and reduces its credibility as a scientific theory.
L - Consequently, SLT’s lack of testability and objectivity could undermine psychology’s reputation as a scientific discipline focused on observable and measurable phenomena.
P - A strength of SLT is that it offers a less deterministic view of human behavior compared to other theories.
E - SLT proposes that individuals can influence their behavior through cognitive processes, meaning behavior is not entirely determined by environmental factors.
E - This is a strength because it suggests that humans have some degree of free will, allowing for choice and self-regulation in behavior, rather than being entirely shaped by external forces.
L - Therefore, SLT provides a more realistic and nuanced understanding of human behavior, reflecting the role of personal agency and decision-making in the human experience.
