SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY Flashcards
Social learning theory (learning theory) not nedeed in 16 marker
- Bandura identified another kind of learning called social learning/modelling
- Theory suggests that behaviour is learned via observation and imitation e.g. copying of influential role models in the environment
Role models
Likely to be imitated if the person identifies with them in some way e.g. similar by age or gender, or if model is influential (of a higher status)
Identification
A connection between a child (observer) and role model (to be imitated) often based on perceived similarity e.g. age/gender
Vicarious reinforcement
- Learning through observing consequences of the role models behaviour in terms of rewards/punishment.
- If rewarded, likely to imitate observed behaviour in order to receive the same reward
4 mediational mental processes in learning
- attention
- retention
- production
- motivation
- Attention
whether behaviour is noticed
- Retention
whether behaviour is remembered
- Production
observer has to be able to replicate i.e. copy the behaviour
- Motivation
observer must want to imitate the behaviour
Banduras experiment
Aim
investigate whether aggression could be acquired through modelling + see whether children were more likely to imitate same sex models
bandura & walters + banduras procedure
- children watched an adult behaving aggressively to a bobo doll,
- an adult behaving non aggressive to bobo doll.
children saw adults who was:
-punished
-rewarded
-there was no consequence
what was banduras findings and conclusion
- Suggested that children exposed to aggressive models imitated their exact behaviour and were significantly more aggressive than those in the non-aggressive condition.
- when given their own doll, the children who saw the aggression rewarded were more likely aggressive themselves
- research shows children are more likely to imitate (model) acts of violence if they observe these in an adult rolemodel.
- it is suggested that modelling aggresive behaviour is more likley if rewarded (vicarious reinforcement)
strength, emphasises the importance of cog factors
- neither classical conditioning or operant condition can offer a comprehensive account of human learning on their own because cognitive factors are omitted
- humans and animals store info about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements when it is appropiate to perform certain actions
- this shows that slt is a more complete exp of human learning than the behaviourist approach by recognising the role of mediation processes
can explain human behaviour (Akers 1998)
- a strength is that it can explain human behaviour
- akers (1998) supports this and suggests that the probability of someone engaging in criminal behaviour increases when they are exposed to role models who commit criminal behaviour.
- identify with these models, and develop expectation of positive consequences for their own criminal behaviour.
- Therefore, suggests SLT can explain human behaviour.
practical applications
- SLT is that is has led to effective treatments for phobias.
- This treatment, based on modelling encourages patients to learn a more appropriate response to the feared object by observing and imitating a role models reaction to the same feared object.
- Therefore, suggests SLT can explain human behaviourand lead to treatment
lacks ecological validity.
- Since theory is based on research from the lab = may lack ecological validity.
- Due to controlled artificial environment of a lab, e.g bobo exp the behaviours that were measured were not the same as genuine aggression which would be directed towards another human being.
- cannot assume children in this experiment would act aggressively towards other human outside of experiment.
- Therefore, questionable to whether findings on SLT and aggression can be generalised to real life situations.
demand characteristics
- May lack internal validity as children experienced demand characteristics – exposed to unusual behaviour from the adult role models.
- Could be puzzling to children who normally expect aggressive behaviour to be commented on and stopped.
- It could have given the children the view that such treatment of the Bobo doll was acceptable.
- Suggests there are methodological flaws – limit extent to which it provides valid support for SLT.
Reciprocal determinism
- Bandura emphasised reciprocal determinism - we are influenced by our environment.
- But we also exert an influence upon it through behaviour we choose to perform
- This element of choice suggests there’s some free will in the way we behave
- This is a more realistic and flexible position than is suggested by the behavioural approach as it recognises the role we play in shaping our own envifoment.
