APPROACHES: Social Learning Theory Flashcards
Why is SLT different to conditioning
SLT is not just about learning, it involves cognitive processes which focus on the internal mental process between stimulus and response
What is the Social Learning Theory
- A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct & indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
- Agrees w idea that ppl learn by conditioning BUT also claims they learn a lot from role models. Some mediational processes are involved between stimulus & response
Albert Bandura & the SLT
1961
- Learning occurs from OBSERVING others
- The mind, behaviour & the environment all play a role in learning behaviour
- This deals w the major criticism of Behaviourist approach, which ignores mental processes, by taking account of cognitive processes
What is vicarious reinforcement
Seeing others being rewarded for a behaviour influences someone in whether they choose to imitate the behaviour
The role of meditational processes: The 4 conditions for Social Learning
ATTENTION: you have to pay attention to model to notice certain behaviours
RETENTION: you need to remember what you have observed
MOTOR REPRODUCTION: you judge whether you have ability to reproduce the behaviour. If so, you’re more likely to do it
MOTIVATION: you evaluate the direct or indirect results of imitating the behaviour. If results in good reward, you’re more likely to imitate it
Identification: Types of Models
LIVE MODELS: physically present in our environment eg. mother, teacher
SYMBOLIC MODELS: eg. ppl in films, books, etc
SYMBOLIC MODELLING is considered to have a greater effect on culture where media is widely available
What did Cumberbatch (2001) state
- Video nasties are more likely to frighten children than to make them aggressive towards others
- Social deprivation, child abuse & early exposure to violence at home can lead to young crimes (eg. James bulger)
Real world application
Akers (1998) suggested that the probability of someone engaging in criminal activity increases when they are exposed to models who commit crime & identify w them & develop the expectation of positive consequences of criminal behaviour
The importance of cognitive factors in learning
- Neither classical nor operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own
- Humans & many animals store info abt the behaviour of others & use this to make judgements abt when it is appropriate to perform certain actions
- More comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of meditational processes
What experiment did Bandura et al. conduct
The Bobo doll experiment, 1961 - imitation of aggressive models
Method of the Bobo doll experiment
36 girls & 36 boys w a mean age of 52 months took part. The study had a match participant design (children were matched on ratings of aggressive behaviour shown at their nursery school) & had 3 conditions:
In 1st condition, children observed aggressive adult models playing w a Bobo doll (an inflatable figure w a weight in the bottom) eg. hitting it w a mallet
In 2nd, children observed non-aggressive models playing with other toys & ignoring the Bobo doll
In 3rd, this was a control condition in which children had no exposure to the models. The children’s behaviour was observed for 20mins in a room containing aggressive toys (eg bobo doll, mallet) & non-aggressive toys (eg. tea set, crayons)
Results of the Bobo doll experiment
Children exposed to the aggressive models imitated a lot of their aggressive behaviour
Children in the non-aggressive & controlled condition showed barely any aggressive behaviour
Aggressive behaviour was slightly higher in the control condition than in the non-aggressive condition
Conclusion of the Bobo doll experiment
Aggressive behaviour is learned through imitation of others behaving aggressively
Evaluation of the Bobo doll experiment: STRENGTHS
- This study provides ev for SLT
- There was strict control of the variables, meaning results are reliable & replicable.
Evaluation of the Bobo doll experiment: WEAKNESSES
- Low ecological validity - the participants were not in a natural situation
- Difficult to generalise results - a limited sample was studied - children were all from same schl
- Ethical issues - study encouraged aggression in children
- Ignores biological factors (hormones)
- Bobo dolls are designed for ‘aggressive’ play (supposed to hit them). Also, children were shown how to play w doll, so study might acc be a test of obedience
