learning approach Flashcards
what is social learning theory?
Social learning theory is a way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement
-combines learning theory with cognitive factors
How do children learn?
Children learn through observation and experience
-e.g. imitation of role models
Who experimented the social learning theory?
Bandura
How many conditions was in banduras experiment?
3
What was the aim of banduras experiment?
Bandura conducted a controlled experiment to investigate if social learning behaviours can be acquired by imitation and observation
What was the results of the bandura experiment?
- children who observed the aggressive model made far more imitate aggressive responses than those who were in the non-aggressive and control group
What was the conclusions of the bandura experiment?
The bobo doll experiment demonstrated that children could learn social behaviour such as aggression through the process of observation learning through watching the behaviour of another person
Evaluation of the bandura experiment( advantages of the experimental method)
-experiments can be replicated. standardized procedures and instructions were used allowing for replicable.
-it allows for precise control variables, many variables were controlled, such as the gender of the model, the time the children observed the model.
- Experiments are the only means by which cause and effect can be established. This can be be demonstrated that the model did influence the child’s subsequent behaviour because all variables are controlled
limitations of the Bandura experiment
-low ecological validity( not true to all society), this involves the child and the adult model, which is a very limited social situation and there is no interaction between the child and the model at any point also the model and the child are strangers, not like normal modelling which takes place in a family
- it is possible to argue that the bobo doll experiment was unethical for example there is a problem of whether the children suffered any long term consequences because of the study.(unethical)
What is a role model?
-someone you look up to, and may imitate some or al of their behaviour.
What is identification?
when an observer associates themself with a role model and wants to be like them
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone being reinforced for their behaviour
What was the bandura’s and Walters experiment?
-showed videos to children where an adult behaved aggressively towards a bobo doll. One group saw the adult punished for their behaviour for being told off. One group saw the adult praised for their behaviour by being told well done. The last group(the control group) observed the aggression without any consequence
Why are control groups made?
Allows comparisons to be made
What is the mediational processes?
Cognitive factors that influence learning and happen before a stimulus and a response.
