Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What are the assumptions of SLT?
Behaviour is learnt from experience, but through observation and imitation of others. SLT suggests learning occurs directly but also indirectly.
What is vicarious reinforcement?
The learner may imitate a behaviour if the model is rewarded rather than punished. The learner learns a behaviour and the consequences, being indirectly reinforced
What are the role of mediational processes?
Often described as the bridge between behaviourist and cognitive theory, it focuses on how mental factors are involved. These intervene in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired
What are the 4 mediational processes?
Attention
Retention
Motor reproduction
Motivation
What is Identification?
People are more likely to imitate people they identify with, the person is called a role model and the process of imitating is called modelling. A person becomes a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and have a higher status. They do not have to be physically present.
What is the strength - cognitive factors?
Neither operant nor classical conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning by themselves, since humans store information about the behaviour of others are use it to make judgements about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions.
What is the limitation - reductionist?
Ignores biological factors - recent research suggests that mirror neurons may be responsible for this kind of learning which allows us to empathise with and imitate othres.
What is the limitation - contrived lab studies?
One limitation is the evidence on which it is based was through lab studies. The issue with lab studies is that PPs often respond to demand characteristics rather than the stimulus. It has been suggested that the environment and model were overly suggestive and the child was aggressive because they thought thats what was expected of them.
What is the strength - RWA?
SLT can explain cultural differences. SLT principles can explain how children learn from others around them, including the media, and this can account for how children learn from others around them and behaviours are transmitted through societies. This proves useful in understanding a range of behaviours, such as gender role.
