Social Learning Theory Flashcards
ASSUMPTIONS
Learning through observation and imitation of others within a social context.
- Learning occurs directly, through classical and operant conditioning, as well as indirectly.
VICARIOUS REINFORCEMENT
- For indirectly learning to take place, an individual observes the behaviour of others. The learner may imitate this behaviour but generally only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) rather than punished.
- The learner observes the consequences of a behaviour.
THE ROLE OF MEDIATIONAL PROCESSES
SLT = described as the ‘bridge’ between traditional learning theory and the cognitive approach –> focuses on how mental factors are involved in learning.
1. ATTENTION –> the extent to which we notice certain behaviours
2. RETENTION –> how well the behaviour is remembered.
3. MOTOR REPRODUCTION –> the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
4. MOTIVATION –> the will to perform the behaviour, often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished.
IDENTIFICATION
People (especially children) are much more likely to imitate the behaviour of people who they identify with –> ROLE MODELS.
- considered a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer or are attractive and have high status.
BANDURA ET AL.(1961)
- recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll.
- children were later observed behaving much more aggressively towards the Bobo doll and other toys compared to those children who had observed a non-aggressive adult.
AO3: EXPLAINS CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN BEHAVIOUR
Social learning principles can account for how children learn from other individuals around them, as well as through the media –> can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies.
- Has proved useful in understanding a range of behaviours, such as how children come to understand their gender role.
AO3: UNDERESTIMATES THE INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGICAL FACTORS
Bandura makes little reference to the impact of biological factors on social learning.
- One consistent finding in the Bobo doll experiments was that the boys were often more aggressive than girls regardless of the specifics of the experimental situation.
- This may be explained by hormonal factors, such as the levels of testosterone, which is present in greater quantities in boys than girls, which is linked to increased aggressive behaviour.
- This means that this important factor is not accounted for in SLT.
- ENVIRONMENTALLY DETERMINIST.
AO3: OVER-RELIANCE ON EVIDENCE FROM LAB STUDIES
Many of Bandura’s ideas were developed through observation of young children’s behaviour in lab settings.
- Lab studies = often criticised for their contrived nature where ppts may respond to DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS/
- It has been suggested 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.
- Therefore, the research may tell us little about how children actually learn aggression in everyday life.
