Social Learning Theory

Question 1

What are the assumptions for SLT?

Answer 1

-extension of the behaviourist approach, but there is an interaction between the environment, behaviour and cognitive processes.
• Behaviour can be learned from observing and imitating role models.
• Four mediational processes are involved in learning (attention, retention, reproduction and motivation)

Question 2

What are meditational processes?

Answer 2

are mental processes that occur between the role model displaying a behaviour and the behaviour being imitated by the observer

Question 3

Where does slt suggest learning takes place?

Answer 3

in a social context

Question 4

What are the key features of SLT?

Answer 4

-Identification
-modelling
-Imitation
-Vicarious reinforcement

Question 5

what is identification?

Answer 5

when an individual is influenced by another because they are in some way similar to them, they want to be like them, or they want to associate themselves with a person or group.

Question 6

Who is the model in identification and what factors influence the choice?

Answer 6

‘The model’ is the person with whom they identify.
Factors that influence the choice of model include having the same gender and ethnicity, higher status, celebrity status, physical attractiveness and greater expertise.

Question 7

What does identification result in?

Answer 7

a more general adaptation of behaviours from the model rather than imitation of one or two specific behaviours.

Question 8

What is modelling?

Answer 8

LEARNING that occurs whilst observing a role model. An individual learns a particular behaviour by observing another individual performing that behaviour.

Question 9

What is imitation?

Answer 9

The ACTION of using someone/something as a role model and copying their behaviour.

Question 10

What does initiation describe?

Answer 10

It describes how an individual observes the behaviour of a role model and duplicates exactly the behaviour displayed.

Question 11

What is vicarious reinforcement (indirect reinforcement)?

Answer 11

Learning occurs via observation of the behaviour of a role model and viewing the rewards or punishments they receive for their behaviour. An observer doesn’t receive reinforcement directly; they see someone else receiving it.

Question 12

What is an example for vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 12

-a younger sister observing an older sister being rewarded for a particular behaviour is more likely to repeat that behaviour herself.

Question 13

When is the likelihood of a behaviour being initiated but the observer increased/decreased? (vicarious reinforcement)

Answer 13

-If the model is observed being reinforced for their behaviour, such as obtaining a reward (increases).
-if the model is observed being punished (decreases).

Question 14

What are mediational processes?

Answer 14

Despite a behaviour of a role model being observed; it is not automatically imitated. There is some thought that takes place prior to imitation - this consideration involves mediational processes (occur between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response))

Question 15

what are the four key mediational processes?

Answer 15

-Attention
-Retention
-Reproduction
-Motivation

Question 16

what is attention?

Answer 16

-For behaviour to be imitated it must capture our interest so we notice it.
-We observe many behaviours on a daily basis and many of these are not noteworthy.
-Attention is therefore pivotal for a behaviour to be processed.

Question 17

What is retention?

Answer 17

-behaviour must be memorable otherwise it will be forgotten.
-As much of social learning is not immediate, it is important that we form a memory of a behaviour for it to be performed later by the observer.

Question 18

How can the retention of a behaviour be strengthened?

Answer 18

Retention of behaviour can be strengthened through repeated observation or if it triggers strong emotions.

Question 19

What is reproduction?

Answer 19

We observe many behaviours and make a mental assessment of whether we have the ability to imitate this.

Question 20

What is an example of reproduction?

Answer 20

E.g. a 90-year-old lady (who struggles to walk) watching Dancing on Ice may desire to ice skate but she will not attempt to imitate the behaviour because she knows she is not physically capable.

Question 21

What is motivation?

Answer 21

•The rewards and punishments that follow a behaviour will be considered by the observer. If the perceived rewards outweigh any costs then the behaviour will be more likely to be imitated by the observer. If the reward is not seen to be important enough to the observer is less likely they will imitate the behaviour.

Question 22

What is are reproduction and motivation concerned with?

Answer 22

.Reproduction and motivation are concerned with the PERFORMANCE of behaviour.

Question 23

What did Bandura do?

Answer 23

Bandura conducted research which involved looking at whether identification with the model affected the likelihood of the behaviour being imitated by an observer.