Approaches - Social learning theory Flashcards
What are the main points of the social learning theory?
Vicarious reinforcement, meditational processes, identification
What is the social learning theory?
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement
What did Albert Bandura believe that people learn from?
Observation and imitation of others
What does SLT suggest?
That learning occurs directly, through classical and operant condtioning and also indirectly
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour
When does imitation occur?
If the behaviour is seen to be rewarded rather than punished
What are meditational processes?
Cognitive factors that influence learning and comes between stimulus and response
What were the 4 meditational processes in learning identified by Bandura?
Attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation
What is attention?
The extent to which we notice certain behaviours
What is retention?
How well the behaviour is remembered
What is motor reproduction?
The ability of the observer to peform the behaviour
What is motivation?
The will to perform the behaviour, based on whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished
How does a person become a role model?
If they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are attractive or of a high status
What is one strength of the social learning theory?
Cognitive factors
What is the evaluation of the social learning theory having cognitive factors?
P: cognitive factors in learning
E: Store info about others and use it to perform certain actions
E: “Learning = laborious if animals relied on the effects of their own actions”
L: Provides comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of meditational processes
