Learning approaches: Social learning theory Flashcards
what is the social learning theory
a way of explaining behaviour that includes direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
what did Bandura’s theory suggest
Bandura agreed with behaviourists that behaviour is learned from experience. However his social learning theory proposed people learn through observation and imitation of others. SLT suggests learning occurs directly through operant and classical conditioning but also indirectly.
what is vicarious reinforcement
occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour. This is a key factor in imitation as generally, imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded rather than punished.
imitation
Imitation is copying the behaviour of others.
what are mediational processes
SLT focuses on how cognitive factors are involved in learning. Mediational processes influence learning.
what are the 4 mediational processes
Attention – the extent to which we notice certain behaviours
Retention – how well the behaviour is remembered
Motor reproduction – the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
Motivation – the will to perform the behaviour. This is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished
identification
People are more likely to imitate people they identify with. Identification is the desire to be associated with a particular person/group because they possess desirable characteristics. The person they identify with is a role model and the process of imitating a role model is called modelling.
A person becomes a role model if they have similar characteristics to the observer and/or are attractive and have high status. Role models can also be in the media and not just physically present.
bandura’s research
Bandura recorded the behaviour of young children who observed an adult behave aggressively towards a Bobo doll. The adult hit the doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it. When the children were later observed playing with the toys, they behaved more aggressively to the doll than those who had observed a non-aggressive adult.
Evaluation of social learning theory (brief)
strength - recognises cognitive factors HOWEVER, too little biological factors
strength - real life application
weakness - lab studies
strengths of social learning theory
the social learning theory approach recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning. Neither classical nor operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own. Humans and animals store information about the behaviours of others and use this as judgement for when it is appropriate to perform certain actions. Bandura observed that this coded information acts as a guide to behaviour. Therefore, this suggests SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning. HOWEVER, the SLT has been criticised for too little reference of biological factors on social learning. Recent research suggests that observation learning, may be the result of mirror neurons in the brain, which allow us to empathise with and imitate other people. Therefore, this suggests that biological differences on social learning were underemphasised in SLT.
SLT has real world application as its principles have been applied to a range of real world behaviours. SLT has the ability to explain cultural differences in behaviour. SLT principles, such as imitation, modelling and reinforcement, can account for how children learn from others around them, including the media. This can explain how social/cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies. This has proved useful in understanding, for example, how children come to understand their gender role. This increases the value of the SLT approach as it can account for real world behaviours.
weakness of social learning theory
the evidence on which the SLT approach is based was gathered through lab studies. Many of Bandura’s ideas were developed through observation of children’s behaviours in the lab. Lab studies are often criticised for their contrived nature where participants may experience demand characteristics. It has been suggested that because the main purpose of the Bobo doll is to strike it, the children may have simply been behaving in a way that they thought was expected. This suggests that Bandura’s research may actually tell us very little about children’s aggression and observation of others in everyday life.
