Approaches: Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What is social learning theory
A way of explaining behaviour that includes bothe direct and direct reinforcement combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
What is imitation
Copying the behaviour of others
What is a role model
When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model
What is modelling
A person Imitating the behaviour of a role model or from the role model perspective modelling is the precise demonstration of a specific behaviour that might be imitated by an observer
What is mediation all factors
Cognitive factors ie thinking that influence learning can come between a stimulus and a response
What is attention
The extent at which we notice certain behaviours
What is retention
How well a behaviour is remembered
What is motor reproduction
The ability of an observer to perform a behaviour
What is motivation
The will to perform a behaviour which is often determined by whether the behaviour is rewarded or punished
What is vicarious reinforcement
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour
What are the assumptions of social learning theory
Behaviour is learned from the environment
Behaviour can be learnt directly through classical and operant conditioning
Indirectly through observing others
What must there be in SLT
Role model for an observer to watch
These provide examples of Behaviour that can be observed and later reproduced through imitation
What is Imitation dependent on
The reinforcement that the model receives
If a model receives positive/negative reinforcement or punishment what happens to the observer
Observer more likely to imitate behaviour because they too want to be rewarded - positive
Observer less likely to imitate behaviour because they dont want to be punished - punishment
What does SLT place importance on ?
Internal meditational processes - they bridge the gap between learning and cognitive theories
What must occur for learning from a role model to happen
1) pay attention to the behaviour
2) retain the behaviour
3) behaviour must be able to be reproduced
4) must be motivated to perform behaviour
What time do the learning and performance behaviours need to take place ?
Need to learned at the same time but can be reproduced later
What should happen for behaviour of role model to be remembered
Individual must identify with the role model
Feel as though they are similar to the person
What was the aim of banduras research
To demonstrate that aggression can be learnt through media
What was the method used in Banduras research
72 children between 3-6 years
Put into 3 groups
Half saw male model and half saw female models
Aggressive model - played in a room whilst adult hit and shouted at bobo doll
Non aggressive model - played in a room while adult played quietly with a construction set
Control group - did not see a model
Children observed while children spent 20 mins in room with aggressive and non aggressive toys
Results from banduras research
Children who saw aggressive model - more aggressive acts than those in either group
Boys imitated same sex model more than girls
Girls showed more physical aggression - male models used
Showed More verbal aggression - female models used
Strength of SLT (more comprehensive)
More comprehensive learning explanation of human learning
It recognises the role of mediation all processes
Earlier learning theories - behaviourism were criticised for failing to acknowledge the role of these processes particularly in learning
SLT provides less reductionist view of behaviour
Strength of SLT cultural differences
Can explain cultural differences in behaviour
Eg how
Children understand their gender roles and how this differs between countries
Africa - men take on roles such as looking after children and home
More feminine by British individuals
Social learning principles can account for how other learn from individuals around them and media
Approach is useful in explaining range of behaviours
Limitation of SLT ( lab studies)
Over reliance on lab studies to provide support for this approach
Eg banduras experiment
Children were observed inc control setting
Responding to demand characterises
Purpose of bobo doll is to strike it so it bounces back
Children doing what’s expected of them
Tells us little about vicarious reinforcement in real life
Limiatation of SLT (biological factors)
Approach underestimates the influence of biological factors
Consistent finding - boys more aggressive than girls
Can be explained by hormonal factors such as higher levels of testosterone in boys
Not accounted for in SLT
Reduces validity of the research
Evidence supporting - limited
What is another limitation for SLT ( deterministic )
Less deterministic than behaviourist approach
Skinner and behaviourists rejected the idea of free will and claimed instead
All behaviour is controlled by external forces in environment
Bandura placed importance on meditational processes
Show that we can store, plan and make judgments about when to produce particular behaviours we have observed
Suggests we play more active role in learning than behaviourism would suggest
What are the differences between SLT and behaviourism
1) SLT recognises that the learner plays an active reale in their learning - choose which behaviour to remember , choose when and where to reproduce and how to respond to consequences
Behaviourism - learner passively responds to environment
2) SLT recognises difference between acquiescence (learning) and performance - you can observe behaviour and remember it but never produce it
Behaviourism - performance and learning are the same thing , behaviour not learnt if not used
3)SLT - behaviours can be fixed - bandura calls these internalised -imitated and and reinforced many times
Behaviourism - behaviour changes constantly in responses to new reinforcement
4)SLT recognises that reinforcement is an indirect process - vicarious reinforcement - mediated by cognitive factors unlike behaviourism
5) SLT involves only measurement of observable behaviour
Done in controlled lab experiments
Unlike behaviourism
Participants always humans
Experimental findings supported by natural observations
Similarities between behaviourism and SLT
All behaviour is learned from experience
Use lab experiments to try and gain more control and objectivity in their research
