Social Learning Theory Flashcards
Key assumptions of social learning theory
- Behaviour is learned through experience, specifically through observation and imitation within a social context.
Social learning Theory key points
Modelling
Imitation
Identification
Vicarious Reinforcement
Mediational Processes
Modelling
In order for social learning to take place role models must carry out the behaviour to be learnt. A live model could be a parent, teacher or peer. A symbolic model could be someone in the media.
Imitation
A lot of the behaviour people acquire is learnt though copying (imitating) the behaviour that is modelled by others.
Identification
We are more likely to imitate the behaviour of a model who we admire or who is similar to us in some way (e.g. same age and gender). In order to identify with the model, observers must feel that they are similar enough to the model that if they performed the same behaviour, the consequence would be the same for them as it was for the model.
Vicarious reinforcement
Individuals learn by observing the behaviour of others and the reward and punishment they receive. People to not need to experience rewards or punishments directly in order to learn from them. People may learn behaviours, but not perform them because they have also learned that the behaviour is likely to be punished if displayed.
Mediational processes
Cognitive factors occur between the stimulus (observing the behaviour) and the response (imitating the behaviour).
- First the observer must pay attention to the model (attend to their actions),
- Secondly the observer must be capable of retention (remember the behaviour that has been modelled),
- Thirdly the observer must be motivated to imitate the behaviour (because they want the same reward the model received,
- Finally the observer must consider themselves to be physically and psychologically capable of reproducing the behaviour. People can learn a behaviour but still not reproduce it because they are not motivated to, or
they are not capable of that behaviour
Bandura (1961)
Bandura conducted a study involving 36 male and 36 female children aged 3-7years of age. The children had to observe a model acting either aggressively or non aggressively with a bobo doll. Some of the children saw a same-sex model,others saw a different sex model. In the experimental conditions the model displayed aggressive acts towards the bobo doll such as striking it with a mallet and shouting “POW!”.
After the children observed these aggressive acts, they were made to feel frustrated. They were shown attractive toys but told they were not allowed to play with them. The children (one by one) were then taken to a room which had some toys including a bobo doll. The children were observed for 20 minutes.
The results found that the children who observed the aggressive model reproduced the same aggressive behaviour towards the bobo doll, whereas the children who observed the non-aggressive model, showed no aggression to the bobo doll. 33% of children who observed and heard verbal aggression repeated
what they had seen and heard. However 0% of children in the non aggressive group displayed verbal aggression. Boys were more aggressive than girls, and imitation of aggression was greatest when the model was the same gender as the observer (identification).
Advantages of Social Learning Theory
1) Social learning theory has its strengths. It has provided great understanding of how criminal behaviour is learnt. Akers (1998) found that criminals seem to engage in more criminal behaviour when they are exposed to a model that they can highly identify with e.g. same gender/age range. (+)
2) A strength of Social learning theory is that it is more effective when the model is very similar to the observer (rather than dissimilar). If the observer is similar to the model, it makes it easier for the observer to visualise themselves in the place of the model and feel like they are having the same experience. Fox (2009) found evidence to suggest that when an observer played a computer game that had a model that looked very
similar to themselves, they were more likely to engage in the same behaviours as the model (+)
+ SLT is an evidence-based approach. Research evidence (Bandura, 1961) demonstrates that children are able to learn behaviour through observing the behaviour of an adult. However, the validity of the research supporting SLT can be questioned. The artificial environment in Bandura’s research does not provide a relevant basis to explain behaviour in everyday life.
Disadvantages of Social Learning Theory
3) Social learning theory can be criticised because it ignores other potential influences on behaviour. For example Social learning theory would ignore the role of neurochemistry which could cause people to behave in certain ways. For example Bandura found in his experiment that boys were more aggressive than girls, regardless of the experimental situation they were in and this was due to the hormone testosterone making boys more aggressive. (-)
- SLT focuses on nurture which may assign blame to role models which could cause them to feel guilty.
- SLT is environmentally deterministic with behaviours being shaped by our
environment and role models rather than empowering the individual with free will to change their attitudes
Advantages of Bandura (1961)
1) Study was conducted in a laboratory setting using observations
Conducting research in a laboratory setting has the advantage that the study is highly controlled to ensure that the independent variable does have an effect on the dependent variable. It also ensures that the study is highly reliable and the results are likely to be replicated in the future.
2) Provides good evidence to support Social Learning Theory
Has the advantage of providing good evidence that Social Learning Theory is a powerful way for children to learn new behaviours
Disadvantages of Bandura (1961)
1) Conducted in a laboratory setting so may lack ecological validity and might not be able to generalise to wider population. Participants might show demand characteristics and guess the aim of the study
2) The use of the bobo doll has been criticised as it is meant to be hit and thrown. The bobo doll is meant to be played in an aggressive manner and therefore the results gained from Bandura’s study don’t tell us much about Social Learning behaviour.
3) Short term effects only
4) Ethical issues are a concern
