Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What is social learning theory
Social learning theory states that behaviour is learned from the environment through observation. Without the need for reinforcement
Who created the social learning theory and what did he believe
Bandura
He agreed with behaviourists that most behaviour comes from experience. But he believes there must be some cognitive processes involved in learning the behaviour e.g considering the consequences
Define modelling
Modelling involves learning through observation of other people (models) which leads to imitation (repetition) of the behaviour
Define vicarious reinforcement
Vicarious reinforcement involves seeing another person being reinforced for a particular behaviour. Therefore more likely to produce the behaviour yourself
Who created the meditational processes
Bandura 1977
As he states that social learning occurs if these four meditational processes (cognitive factors) occur
Define the four meditational processes (ARRM)
Attention-paid attention to model behaviour (typically role model that observer identifies with)
Retention- remember the behaviour so it can be retrieved
(Motor) Reproduction- able to physically reproduce the behaviour
Motivation- expecting to be rewarded for modelling this behaviour
What did Bandura do 1961
Bandura studied children from a nursery and aimed to test whether aggression could be learned through imitation
Explain Bandura method
72 children, equal gender
He put children in rooms with a bobo doll to see how they would play with the doll.
He had three controls: aggression (violent video) non-aggression (model played nicely with toys) control condition (no model/video).
Children were taken into the room/monitored behaviour
What was Bandura results/conclusions
Results: children in aggressive condition more likely to play aggressively than the two other groups. Girls were more verbally aggressive boys physically aggressive
Conclusion: aggression can be learned through imitation causing implication on media violence
Evaluate Bandura study
Generalisability- large sample to spot anomalies.
Reliability- highly replicable due to standardised procedures, use of two observers
Application- parenting, media, censorship
Validity- controls in place, bono dolls designed to be hit (demand characteristics)
Ethics- children made to watch aggressive behaviour
Economic implications- potential to reduce crimes
Social learning theory strengths x4
Takes cognition into account (consider consequences)
Significant research evidence (Bandura)
Humans used as test subjects (better generalisability than animals)
Has real work significance (explains aggressive/violent behaviours and suggests ways to reduce)
Social learning theory weaknesses x3
Bandura’s study criticism
Soft nurture (doesn’t consider biological argument for behaviour)
Can’t explain all behaviour (how do children behave in adult absence)
