Approaches: Social Learning Theory (AO1): Flashcards
What did Albert Bandura propose about how people learn?
He agreed that behaviour is learnt from stimuli in the environment but added that people learn through modelling and reinforcement.
How does learning occur according to Social Learning Theory?
Learning occurs both directly (via conditioning) and indirectly.
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Learning by imitating behaviour we see others (role models) being rewarded for.
What are the four mediational processes Bandura identified?
Attention, Retention, Motor production, and Motivation.
What does the ‘Attention’ mediational process refer to?
Whether we notice the behaviour.
What does the ‘Retention’ mediational process refer to?
Whether we remember the behaviour.
What does the ‘Motor production’ mediational process refer to?
Whether we are able to perform the behaviour.
What does the ‘Motivation’ mediational process refer to?
Whether we perceive the rewards to outweigh the costs.
What is ‘modelling’ in Social Learning Theory?
When people imitate the behaviour of role models they identify with (e.g., similar age or background).
What did Bandura and Walters (1963) find in their study of aggressive behaviour?
Children were more likely to imitate aggressive behaviour when the adult was rewarded, supporting the role of vicarious reinforcement.
