Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What is the social learning theory?
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.
What are the four parts of SLT?
- Assumptions
-Vicarious reinforcement
-The role of meditational processes - Identification
What are assumptions?
Bandura agreed with behaviourists that behaviour is learnt from experience, his SLT proposed people learn through imitation of others occurring through classical and operant conditioning
What is vicarious reinforcement?
For indirect learning to happen an individual observes the behaviour of others, imitation only occurs if the behaviour is rewarded rather than punished- then a learner has observed a behaviour but most IMPORTANTLY its consequences (good or bad).
What is the role of mediational processes?
SLT bridges behaviourist learning theory and cognitive approach, the mental factors mediate the learning process to see if a new response is acquired
What are the four mediational processes identified?
- Attention
-Retention
-Motor reproduction
-Motivation
First two relating to learning of behaviour and the last two performance of
What role does identification play in the SLT?
People, mostly children, imitate those they identify with so if its a role model they are “modelling”, role models do NOT need to be present in environment so variables like media may have an effect
Evaluation points (brief)
-Recognises importance of cognitive factors in learning BUT may be too dismissive of biological factors
- Evidence gathered through lab studies
- Real world application
What are strengths of SLT?
It recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning when neither classical or operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own. Humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others to ensure their own behaviour is appropriate, SLT has a comprehensive explanation of human learning. HOWEVER, SLT has been criticised for making too little reference to biological factors he thought learning itself was determined by the environment- mirror neurons in the brain may allow us to empathise underestimation of biological influences.
Another strength is that SLT principles can be applied to real world behaviours it can explain cultural differences such as as how children learn from those around them and social/ cultural norms being transmitted through society like gender roles increasing the value of the approach as it accounts for real world behaviour
What are the limitations of SLT?
Evidence was gathered through lab studies which when observing young children behaviour it may have a contrived nature a participants may respond to demand characteristics and the children only strikes the Bobo doll as they believed this was expected this suggests research may not align with aggression is every day life.
What are the limitations of SLT?
Evidence was gathered through lab studies which when observing young children behaviour it may have a contrived nature a participants may respond to demand characteristics and the children only strikes the Bobo doll as they believed this was expected this suggests research may not align with aggression is every day life.
