social learning theory Flashcards
social learning theory definition
a way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
imitation definition
copying the behaviour of others
identification definition
when an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model
modeling definition
from the observer’s perspective, modelling is imitating the behaviour of a role model. from the role model’s perceptive, modeling is the precise behaviour that may be imitated by an observer
vicarious reinforcement definition
reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour. this is a key factor on imitation
mental processes definition
cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response
main person associated with social learning theory
Bandura
assumptions of social learning theory
Bandura agreed with behaviourists that the behaviour is leaned from experience. however, proposed people learned through observation and imitation of others. SLT suggested learning occurs directly through classical and operant conditioning, but also indirectly
role of vicarious reinforcement
for indirect learning to take place an individual observers the behaviour of others. the learner may imitate this behaviour but, in general, imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) rather than punished so vicarious reinforcement occurs. therefore, the learner observers a behaviour but most importantly also observers consequences of behaviour
what are the 4 mediational processes
1-attention
2-retention
3-motor reproduction
4-motivation
how many mediational processes are there
4
what is SLT often described as
bridge between behaviourist learning theory and cognitive approach
why is SLT often described as bridge between behaviourist learning theory and cognitive approach
focuses on how mental (cognitive factors) are involved in learning
what is the role of meditaional processes
mental factors mediate in the learning processes to determine weather a new response is required
who identified mediational processes
Bandura
what does the mediational process of attention mean
the extent to which we notice certain behaviours
what does the mediational process of retention mean
how well the behaviour is remembered
what does the mediational process of motor reproduction mean
the ability to perform the behaviour
what does the mediational process of motivation mean
the will to perform the behaviour, which is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished
what do the first 2 mediational processes relate to
the learning of the behaviour
what do the last 2 mediational processes relate to
performance of the behaviour
how does learning and performance differ from traditional behaviourism
unlike traditional behaviourism, the learning and performance of the behaviour does not need to occur together. observable behaviours may be stored and reproduced at a later time
who are people more likely to imitate
people they identify with which is a process called identification
who is the person they identify with
role model
process of imitating a role model
modelling (behaviour of role model is also called modelling)
how does a person become a role model
if they posses similar characteristics to the observer and/or are attractive and have high status
role model presence
may not be physically present in the environment, and this has important implications for the influence of the media on behaviour
when did bandura et al do first bit of research (study A)
1961
when did bandura and Walters do second bit of research (study B)
1963
Bandura et al study 1
recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards the Bobo doll. the adult hit the doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it.
what did Bandura et al find after study 1
when these children were later observed playing with various toys, including a Bobo doll, they behaved much more aggressively towards the doll and the other toys that those who had observed a non-aggressive adult
Bandura and walters study
Bandura and Walters showed videos to children where an adult behaved aggressively towards the bobo doll. one group of children saw the adult praised for their behaviour (‘well done’) a second group saw the adult punished for their aggression towards the doll, by being told off, the third group (control group) saw the aggression without any consequence
Bandura and Walters findings
when given own Bobo doll to play with the first group showed much more aggression, followed by third group, then the second
what does Bandura first study illustrate
concepts of observational learning and imitation
what does Bandura and Walters study illustrate
vicarious reinforcement
strength of social learning theory- cognitive factors
-one strength of the social learning theory approach is it recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning
-neither classical or opernat conditioning can offer adequate account of learning on their own. humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and can use this to make judgement about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions. This suggests social learning theory provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning recognising the role of mediational processes
limitation of social learning theory - counterpoint to cognitive factors
-despite this, SLT has been critcised for making too little reference to the influence of biological factors on social learning.
- Although, Bandura claimed natural biological differences influenced our learning potential, he thought that learning itself was determined by the environment. however, recent research suggests that observational learning, of the kind Bandura was talking about, may be the result of mirror neurons in the brain, which allow us to empathise with and imitate other people –> suggests that biological influences on social learning were under-emphasised in SLT
limitation of social learning theory - contrived lab studies
-evidence on which it is based was gathered through lab studies
-many of Bandura’s ideas were developed through observation of young children’s behaviour in the lab. lab studies are often criticised for their contrived nature where participants may respond to demand characteristics. it has been suggested, in relation to the Bobo doll research that, because the main purpose of the doll is to strike it, the children were behaving in a way they thought was expected –> suggests that the research may tell us little about how children actually learn in everyday life
strength of social learning theory - real-world application
-strength is that SLT principles have been applied to a range of real-world behaviors
-social learning theory has the advantage of being able to explain cultural differences in behaviour. SLT principle such as modelling, imitation and reinforcement, can account for how children learn from others around them, including the media, and this can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies. this has proved useful in understanding a range of behaviours, such as how children come to understand their gender role. –> increases the value of the approach as it can account for real-world behvaiour
evaluation of social learning theory -reciprocal determinism
-Bandura emphasised reciprocal determinism, in the sense that we are not merely influenced by our external environment, but we also exert an influence upon it, through the behaviours we chose to perform. this element of choice suggests that there is some free will in the way we behave.
-this contrast with the behaviourist approach which denies the possibility of free will
