Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What is the social learning theory?
Learning through observing others and imitating behaviour that is rewarded
What is imitation?
When an Individual observes the behaviour of a role model and copied it
What is identification?
When an individual is influenced by another because they are similar or wish to be like them
What is modelling?
A form of learning where individuals learn a particular behaviour by observing another individual performing that behaviour
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour
What two studies took place about SLT?
Bandura- 1961 and 1963
What are the four meditational processes?
- Attention
- Retention
- Production
- Motivation
What are the three strengths of the social learning theory?
Takes into account thought processes- Humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions. Neither classical nor operant conditioning recognise these cognitive factors, but SLT doesà role of mediational processes. Bandura’s study- children behaved more aggressively when they saw the model being rewarded for being aggressive à highlights the role of cognitive processes such as expectation of consequences. SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning.
Explains cultural differences in behaviour- Can account for how children learn from other individuals around them and through the media. This explains the differences in behaviour as different societies have different cultural norms. As a result, SLT has proved useful in understanding a range of behaviour such as how children come to understand their gender role.
Real-life applications- E.g .Watershed on TV- In the UK programmes with violence, sexual content or obscene language are only shown after 9pm à before 9pm, children may be watching unattended and therefore exposed to inappropriate content, which they could then imitate. Akers (1998)- the probability of engaging in criminal behaviour increases when one is exposed to models who commit crimes, identify with those models, and expect positive consequences
Counter- There is an issue with causality. Siegel and McCormick (2006) suggest that young people who possess deviant attitudes and values would seek out peers with similar attitudes and behaviours. As a result it may not be social learning that has caused criminal behaviour, but the possession of deviant attitudes prior to contact with models who commit crimes.
What are the two limitations of the Social learning theory?
Research studies have demand characteristics- 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. Consequently, the research may tell us little about how the children learn aggression in everyday life.
Reductionist (Underestimates role of other influences) - The approach focuses exclusively on the processes of social learning and so disregards other potential influences on behaviour. E.g. when explaining development of gender role behaviour, SLT emphasises importance of gender specific modelling. However, in real life a child is exposed to many diff. influencesà genetic predispositions, media portrayals, locus of control etc. These all interact in complex ways and SLT does not take this into account.
