Social Explanation - Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What is the main principle of the social learning theory?
That aggressive behaviour is learnt when one individual (the learner) observes and imitates the aggression of another (the model)
What must the observer do in order the accurately imitate the behaviour?
Pay attention, be able to remember the act and be motivated to reproduce the behaviour.
Where may the motivation to reproduce aggressive behaviour come from?
An external reward or internal drive
When may the model display the learnt behaviour?
Immediately or in a situation where they feel they will be rewarded for it
What is a prime example of a learner not imitating the behaviour immediately?
A child may hear their parents swearing but may not repeat it until a situation where they are being rewarded, for example to impress friends or annoy parents
What plays a part in whether the behaviour is repeated?
Reinforcement
What 3 factors affect imitation?
Characteristics of the model
Characteristics of the learned
Consequences of the behaviour for the model
How do the characteristics of the model affect imitation?
Bandura suggested if the learner is of the same gender, similar age and high in status they are more likely to imitate the model
How do the characteristics of the learner affect imitation?
If the learner has low self esteem they are more likely to imitate the behaviour of a model
How do the consequences of the behaviour for the model affect imitation?
If learners see models receiving positive reinforcement for their actions they are more likely to imitate them
What is consequences of the behaviour for the model more commonly known as?
Vicarious reinforcement
What is vicarious reinforcement?
When the chances of the behaviour being imitated is heightened due to the learner seeing the model get positive reinforcement for their actions
What do people often blame children’s aggression on?
The media e.g television
How could television be the source of children’s aggression?
Characters on tv are often of high social status, likeable and powerful and their aggressive acts often tend to be rewarded. As a result, they are modelling the behaviour and children could imitate the behaviour through the social learning theory.
Who devised the social learning theory?
Bandura
