Social Learning Theory Flashcards
Social learning theory
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement.
Imitation
The action of using somebody or something as a model and copying their behaviour
Mediational processes
Cognitive processes that occur between a stimulus and a response. Includes: attention, retention, motivation and motor reproduction.
Attention
Extent to how we notice certain behaviours.
Retention
How well the behaviour is remembered and storied in our memory.
Motor reproduction
Ability of the observer to perform the behaviour.
Motivation
They will for perform the behaviour, often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished.
Key study - Bandura’s bobo doll
72 children aged 3 to 6
Laboratory experiment
Two groups saw adult model behave aggressive or non-agressive to the doll
Control group didn’t see any model
Bobo doll results
Children who saw aggressive model showed higher level of aggression.
Bobo doll conclusion
Aggressive behaviour can be learnt, in children, through observation and imitation of a model.
Useful application - strength
Led to effective treatment of phobias
Encourage patients to learn more appropriate response to feared object
Treatment implication - strength
Evidence social learning influences aggression, food preferences and smoking addiction
Akers supports and suggests someone has higher probability of criminal behaviour of exposed to criminal model.
Lacks ecological validity - weakness
Based on lab research
Articifical environment
Aggressive behaviours may not be genuine
Cannot be generalised
Oversimplistic - weakness
Ignores all other influences on behaviour
Boy were more aggressive in bob doll experiment
Explained by hormonal factors, level of testosterone
