SLT Approach Flashcards
State the three assumptions of the cognitive approach
- Internal mental processes can be and should be studied scientifically – inferences are made about what is going on inside people’s minds on the basis of their behaviour
- How our brains process the world affects how we behave
- The mind works like a computer
What is social learning theory?
Learning through observing role models who we identify with and imitating behaviours that are rewarded
Define imitation
When an individual observes the behaviour of a role model and copies it
Define identification
When an individual is influenced by another because they are in some way similar or wish to be like them (e.g. age, higher status, gender)
Define modelling
A form of learning where individuals learn a particular behaviour by observing another individual performing that behaviour
Define vicarious reinforcement
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a particular behaviour
State and describe the study which demonstrates the role of SLT on aggressive behaviour in children
Bandura et al. (1961):
- 72 3-5 year old children watched an adult model either play aggressively with a bobo doll or play quietly with other toys
- Found that the children who observed the adult model play aggressively imitated the exact same aggressive behaviour toward the bobo doll
- Boys were more likely to engage in physical aggression
- Verbal aggression was sex-typed
- Children more likely to imitate same sex model
State and describe the study which shows the influence of vicarious reinforcement on aggressive behaviour in children
Bandura (1965):
- Saw a model being rewarded, punished, or experience no consequence for aggressive behaviour towards a bobo doll
- Found that children who observed the model be praised, or experience no consequence, were more likely to act aggressively toward bobo doll
Explain why SLT is described as the bridge between traditional learning theory (behaviourism) and the cognitive approach
• Focuses on how mental (cognitive) factors are involved in learning
• Suggests that individuals do not just automatically imitate a behavior, there is some thought prior to imitation
• These mental factors mediate (intervene) in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired
State and outline the four mediational processes involved when deciding whether to imitate behaviour
- Attention – noticing certain behaviour
- Retention – how well behaviour is remembered
- Motor reproduction – ability to perform behaviour
- Motivation – behaviour will be performed if expectation of a positive consequence is greater than the expectation of a negative consequence
Define inference
Going beyond the immediate evidence to make assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed
2 Strengths of the SLT (COUNTER)
Takes into account thought processes through the role of mediational processes.
This is evident in Bandura’s (1963) study – children behaved more aggressively when they saw the model being rewarded for being aggressive. Highlights the role of cognitive processes such as expectation of consequences.
Therefore, SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning.
Real-life applications
For example, Watershed on TV – in the UK programmes with violence, sexual content or obscene language are only shown after 9pm. This is implemented because before 9pm children may be watching unattended, and therefore exposed to inappropriate content, which they could then imitate in real life.
3 Limitations of SLT
Underestimates the role of other influences.
For example, that boys were found to be more aggressive in the 1961 study can be explained by hormonal factors such as testosterone. Further, when explaining development of gender role behaviour, SLT emphasises importance of gender specific modelling. However, in real life a child is exposed to many different influences, e.g. genetic predispositions, media portrayals, culture etc. These all interact in complex ways and SLT does not take this into account.
Many of Bandura’s studies were carried out in lab settings and so participants may respond to demand characteristics. With the bobo doll the main purpose of the doll is to strike it, therefore children were simply behaving in a way that they thought was expected.
Idea of causality
People may not learn behaviour from models but instead seek out models who exhibit behaviour or attitudes they already favour.
Siegel and McCormick (2006) argue that young people who hold deviant values and attitudes are more likely to associate with similarly inclined peers, and thus the reinforcement of ‘deviant’ behaviour is a two-way process and not necessarily the result of SLT itself.
