Social Learning Theory Flashcards
SLT.
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.
Although Bandura agreed with the behaviourists, his SLT proposed a different way of learning -
Through observation and imitation of others.
SLT suggested that learning occurs directly, through classical and operant conditioning, but also indirectly.
Imitation.
Copying the behaviour of others.
Vicarious reinforcement.
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour.
Key factor in imitation.
The learner may imitate the behaviour but, in general, imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) rather than punished.
Thus, the earner observes a behaviour but most importantly also observes the consequences of a behaviour.
Mediational processes.
Cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response.
Attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation.
The Mediational process.
Attention - the extent to which we notice certain behaviors.
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, which is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished.
Attention and Retention.
Relate to learning of behaviour.
Motor reproduction and motivation.
Relate to performance of behaviour.
Identification.
A desire to be associated with a particular person or group often because the person/group possesses certain desirable characteristics.
People are more likely to imitate people they identify with.
The person they identify with is called a role model and the process of a imitating role model is called modelling.
Strength.
P: SLT principles have been applied to a range of real-world behaviours.
E: Social learning theory has the advantage of being able to explain cultural differences in behaviour. SLT principles can account for how children learn from others around them and this can explain how social/cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies.
E: This has proved useful in understanding a range of behaviours, such as how children come to understand their gender role.
L: This increases the value of the approach as it can account for real-world behaviour.
Limitation.
P: The evidence SLT is based on was gathered from lab studies.
E: Many of Bandura’s ideas were developed through observation of young children’s behaviour in the lab. Lab studies are often criticised for their contrived nature where participants may respond to demand characteristics.
E: It has been suggested, in relation to the Bobo Doll research that, because the main purpose of the doll is to strike it, the children were simply behaving in a way that they thought was expected.
L: This suggests that the research may tell us little about how children actually learn aggression in everyday life.
