Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What is social learning theory?
- observational learning through observation and imitation
- Mediational processes determine whether behaviour is imitated from a role model
- Rejects notion that learning is purely the outcome of stimulus-response loop
What are the mediational processes?
Attention, retention, reproduction, motivation
What is an assumption about mediational processes?
They are involved in observational learning and determine whether we imitate a model’s behaviour
What most happen for someone to imitate a model’s behaviour?
They must identify with them through similar characteristics. Such as gender, race, culture, age etc.
When does observation lead to imitation?
Where there is positive reinforcement
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Reproduction of behaviour motivated when learned observe role models receiving reinforcement
AO1 - Assumptions
learning through observation, identification, imitation and reinforcement, mediational processes (state and explain) vicarious reinforcement
What was the aim of Bandura (1961)
Aim to determine whether children will imitate an aggressive role model of the same sex or not to concur which two sexes between children was more aggressive
What was the sample in Bandura’s study?
36 boys and girls from Stanford University Nursery school of ages 3-5
How many conditions were there in the study?
Three conditions: aggressive, non-aggressive, control
What were Bandura’s assumptions?
- People learn through observations
- Reinforcement had an indirect on behaviour and learning
What were the assumptions supported by?
Mediational processes occuring within control groups
What were Bandura’s findings?
- Boys and girls were more aggressive with the same sex role model, explained through identifcation.
AO1 - Outline Bandura (1961), Bobo Doll Study
Aims, sample size, assumptions, findings
AO3 - Empirical Evidence
P: One of its core assumptions substantiated
E: Bahr et al., (2005) peer pressure for drug use in sample of 4,230 participants
E: Observation leads to imitation, more than just theoretical value, real-life context (natural experiment), greater credibility, hold internal validity (lack of E.V’s), draw C+E
