Lesson 4 - Social Learning Theory Flashcards
Social Learning Theory Assumptions
Behaviour is learned through experience, specially through observations and imitation within a social context
Social Learning Theory Points
Modelling
Imitation
Identification
Vicarious Reinforcement
Social Learning Theory Points
Modelling
In order to social learning to take place, models must carry out the behaviour to be learnt
A live model could be a parent, teacher or peer
A symbolic model could be someone in the media or a TV show
Social Learning Theory Points
Imitation
A lot of the behaviour people acquire is learnt through copying (imitating) the behaviour that is modelled by others
Social Learning Theory Points
Identification
We are more likely to imitate the behaviour of a model who we admire or who is similar to us in some way
In order to identify with the model, observers must feel that they are similar enough to the model that if they perfomed the same behaviour, the consequence would be the same for them as it was for the model
Social Learning Theory Points
Vicarious Reinforcement
Individuals learn by observing the behaviour of others and the reward and punishment they receive
People do not need to experience rewards or punishments directly in order to learn from them
People may learn behaviours but not perform them as they have also learned that the behaviour is likely to be punished if displayed
Mediational Processes
Cognitive factors occur between stimulus and response
Observer must pay attention to model
Observer must be capable of retention
Observer must be capable of reproducing behaviour (motor reproduction)
Observer must be motivated to imitate behaviour
Bandura (1961) Procedure
36 male and 36 female children aged 3-7 years
Children observed model acting aggressively or non-aggressively with bobo doll
Some children saw same-sex model, others saw different sex model
In experimental conditions, model displayed aggressive acts such as striking doll with mallet
Children then made to feel frustrated then put in a room with toys and a bobo doll then observed for 20 minutes
Bandura (1961) Findings
Children who observed aggressive model reproduced aggressive behaviour to doll
Those who observed non-aggressive model showed no aggression
33% of children who observed and heard verbal aggression repeated what they seen/heard
0% in non-aggressive group displayed verbal aggression
Boys more aggressive than girls
Imitation of aggression was greatest when model was same gender as observer (identification)
Social Learning Theory Evaluation Points
Behavioural and Cognitive Factors Inference Cause and Effect Environmentally Deterministic Abstract Notions
Social Learning Theory Evaluation
Behavioural and Cognitive Factors
Positive
Recognises importance of both types of factors when examining how people learn new behaviours unlike behaviourist approach (classical and operant conditioning)
Social Learning Theory Evaluation
Inferrance
Negative
Mediational factors have to be inferred
Cannot measure extent of influence
SLT does not explain mediational processes, leave this to cognitive psychologists
Social Learning Theory Evaluation
Cause and Effect
Negative
Does not take into account cause and effect
Studies have found young people who have deviant attitudes seek out peers with similar attitudes rather than becoming deviant because of their peers
Social Learning Theory Evaluation
Environmentally Deterministic
Negative
Sees behaviour as environmentally deterministic so ignores role of biology in behaviour
Bandura (1961) found in his experiment that boys were more aggressive than girls, regardless of which condition they were in
Boys might be more aggressive because of testosterone which means it is biologically determined
Social Learning Theory Evaluation
Abstract Notions
Negative
Explains behaviour such as aggression but not learning of abstract notions which cannot be observed directly
E.g. fairness, justice, etc.
