Social Learning Theory Flashcards
Who proposed Social Learning Theory?
Albert Bandura
What other approaches does Social Learning Theory link to?
Behaviourist, as we learn behaviours from the environment, and cognitive, as it involves internal mental processes.
Social Learning Theory
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.
Imitation
Copying or reproducing behaviour that has been learned through observation.
Identification
Internalising and adopting behaviours shown by a role model;, because they have a quality the individual would like to possess.
Modelling
When an observer imitates a role model, or when a person produces a specific behaviour that may then be imitated.
Vicarious Reinforcement
When learners observe role models receiving either positive or negative reinforcement. They see the consequences, making them more or less likely to imitate the behaviour.
Mediational Processes
Mental cognitive factors that intervene in the learning process to determine whether a new behaviour is acquired or not.
What are the key assumptions of Social Learning Theory?
Learning is explained through observational learning or modelling, learning can occur directly (through conditioning) but also indirectly (through vicarious reinforcement), and mediational processes play an important role in influencing our behaviour.
What methods does SLT usually require?
Lab experiments.
What were Bandura’s four mediational processes?
Attention, retention, motor reproduction, and motivation.
Attention
The extent to which we notice certain behaviours.
Retention
How well we remember the behaviour.
Motor Reproduction
Whether we have the skill/ability to replicate the behaviour.
Motivation
Whether we have the drive/will to replicate the behaviour, this is usually determined by vicarious reinforcement.
