social learning theory Flashcards
How does learning take place according to slt?
it takes place indirectly and through imitation and observation of others.
what is vicarious reinforcement?
it is when we learn through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour.
what is identification?
when an observer associates themselves with a role model, when they are likely to imitate the behaviour with who they identify with.
what are the four meditational processes?
- attention, do we notice the behaviour?
- retention, can we remember the behaviour?
- reproduction, can we physically perform the behaviour?
- motivation, do we want to perform behaviour?
what do the four meditational processes lead to?
imitation of others in order to learn or gain experience.
what was the bobo doll experiment, bandura?
36 boys and 36 girls aged 3 to 6 year old.
3 conditions; aggressive model to 24, non-aggressive model to another 24, no model control- 24
put into a room, adult behaving aggressively towards a bobo doll, other room- not aggressive
after 10 minutes- participants taken down corridor to another room.
aggressive arousal stage told not to play with toys in one room, but could in neighbouring rooms.
those who saw aggression more likely to be aggressive towards the doll. boys more aggressive than girls.
greater level of imitation if role model was same gender as child. supports SLT.
what is a limitation of social learning theory? (biological factors)
consistent finding was that boys were more aggressive than girls. this may be explained by differences in hormone levels such as testosterone, which is in greater quantity in boys. may have underplayed important influence of biological factors.
what is a strength of social learning theory? (cultural differences)
slt principles account for how children learn from the people around them and media, this can explain how cultural norms are transmitted. this can help us understand why children understand gender roles by imitating role models. in contrast, biological approach explain universal behaviours because biological approaches don’t change with culture
what is a limitation of slt and what do they rely too heavily on?
they relied too heavily on controlled lab studies. many of bandura’s idea developed through observation of children’s behaviour in lab settings and so may have demand characteristics. main purpose of bobo doll was to hit and so children may behave they way expected. so may not be valid and not show how children learn agression.
