social learning theory

Question 1

What theories is it the bridge between? Why?

Answer 1

-the behaviourist approach and the cognitive approach
-it focuses on how cognitive factors are involved in learning

Question 2

How is it similar to the behaviourist approach?

Answer 2

-emphasises the importance of the environment and reinforcement in learning

Question 3

What two important ideas does Bandura add to behaviourism? What does he agree with in behaviourism?

Answer 3

1. mediating processes occur between stimuli and responses
   2.behaviour is learned from the environment through the process of observational learning
   -he agrees with classical and operant conditioning

Question 4

How is it similar to the cognitive approach?

Answer 4

-it acknowledges the role that mental processes play in interpreting the environment and planning new actions (although not studied in detail)

Question 5

Why is it not considered conventional behaviourism?

Answer 5

-due its recognition for the role of cognition

Question 6

Who was the theory developed by?

Answer 6

-Albert Bandura

Question 7

Unlike Skinner, what does Bandura believe?

Answer 7

-he believes humans are active information processors and think about the relationship between their behaviour and the consequences

Question 8

How is human learning done through the observation of a model?

Answer 8

-models are anyone we can observe
-imitate their behaviour
-quicker than direct reinforcement needed in classical or operant conditioning

Question 9

What are the features of the model?

Answer 9

-more likely to imitate a model if we identify with them or hold them in high regard

Question 10

What is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 10

-in contrast to behaviourism, we can also learn by observing a model being reinforced for their behaviour
-this is vicarious reinforcement, or being reinforced through someone else

Question 11

What is self efficacy?

Answer 11

-our expectation of whether we can successfully reproduce a behaviour

Question 12

What are the mediational processes?

Answer 12

1. attention
2. retention
3. reproduction
4. motivation

Question 13

Define the mediational process.

Answer 13

-the thought prior to the imitation of the model- individuals do not automatically imitate

Question 14

Attention

Answer 14

-the model must capture the observer’s interest
-the observer must deem the model’s behaviour worth imitating
-the individual needs to pay attention to the behaviour and its consequences and form a mental representation of the behaviour
-we observe many behaviours on a daily basis, many aren’t noteworthy- attention is crucial in determining the influence of one’s behaviour on another

Question 15

Retention

Answer 15

-individuals symbolically store a model’s behaviour in their minds
-Bandura 1972- observers save behaviours in symbolic forms- actively organising them into easily recalled templates- successful imitation
-crucial that a memory of the behaviour is formed so it can be performed later by the observer
-much of social learning is not immediate- retention is important

Question 16

Reproduction.

Answer 16

-ability to perform the behaviour that the model has just demonstrated
-physical ability limits us in imitating certain behaviour
-Bandura 1972- motor reproduction processes use internal symbolic images of observed behaviour to guide actions
-Manz and Sims 1981- an observer internally replicates these behaviours using these symbols as a reference to deem whether they are capable of reproducing said behaviour

Question 17

Motivation.

Answer 17

-the perceived unfavourable or favourable consequences of mimicking the model’s actions that are likely to decrease or increase the likelihood of imitation
-i.e. the will to perform the behaviour- reward or punishment
-more perceived rewards- more likely to imitate
-vicarious reinforcement needs to be important to observer

Question 18

What is observational learning?

Answer 18

This is when individuals learn and adopt behaviours by observing others.

Question 19

Importance of SLT

Answer 19

Understanding Learning Processes: SLT expands the understanding of learning beyond classical and operant conditioning by incorporating cognitive processes. It highlights that learning can occur without direct reinforcement and that internal mental states are crucial in this process.
Influence on Behavior: SLT explains how people acquire and maintain certain behaviors and how social norms and behaviors are transmitted across individuals and generations. This helps in understanding both adaptive and maladaptive behaviors.
Role of Media: Bandura’s insights into how behavior can be influenced by media and entertainment underscore the role of televised and online models in shaping public perceptions and behavior, especially in children.
Emphasis on Environment: The theory puts a strong emphasis on the importance of environmental and situational conditions in influencing behavior, suggesting that changing the environment can significantly alter behavior.
Educational Reform: SLT supports the use of more comprehensive educational approaches that integrate observational learning, demonstrating that students can learn from peer modeling and other forms of social interaction.