Social Learning Theory Flashcards
Assumptions
Bandura: people learn through observation and imitation of others within a social context
Learning occurs directly through classical/operant conditioning + indirectly
Vicarious reinforcement
An individual observes the behaviour of others and imitate this behaviour if it is being rewarded rather than punished
The learner observes behaviour but most importantly observes the consequences of behaviour
Bobo doll experiment
Bandura et al recorded the behaviour of young children who watched the behaviour of young children behave in an aggressive way (adult hit the doll and shouted abuse)
Children were later observed being more aggressive towards the doll and other tiys than those who who observed a non-aggressive adult
The role of mediational processes
Slt focuses on how the mental (cognitive) factors are involved in learning
These mental factors mediate (i.e. intervene) in the learning process to determine whether a new response is required
What are 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 determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished
1+2 = learning of behaviour 34 = performance of behaviour
Identification
People (especially children) are more likely to imitate behaviour of people whom they identify called role models - process is called modelling
A person becomes a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are attractive and have high status
Less deterministic
Bandura emphasises reciprocal determinism (we are influenced by external environment but we also exert an influence upon it through behaviours we choose to perform) which suggests that there is some free will in the way we behave (choice as if we imitate behaviour)
Real life application
Social learning theory can be used to explain why young people may succumb to peer pressure and carry out risk-taking behaviour such as having unprotected sex or drinking alcohol. A young person who feels they do not fit in and are lonely, may start to imitate the behaviour of individuals who appear to be popular and liked by others in order to be accepted by their peer group.
Over-reliance on evidence from lab studies
Many of Bandura’s ideas were developed through observation of young children in lab settings. Can be critised for their contrived nature where participants respond to demand characteristics. in the bobo doll experiment children thought it was expected to strike the foll thus the research may tell us little about how children actually learn aggression in everyday life
Underestimates the influence of biological factors
Bandura makes little reference to the impact of biological factors on social learning. On inconsistent finding was that boys were more aggressive than girls which may be explained by hormonal factors such as the difference in testosterone (linked to aggressive behaviour). This means this important influence on behaviour is not accounted for in SLT
