Social Learning Theory Flashcards
Assumptions of SLT
- Explains behaviour through direct (through classical and operant conditioning) + indirect reinforcement (cognition)
- Combination of behaviourism and cognition
- Agreed that behaviour is learned through experience
- Observation + imitation of others in a social context
Assumptions of SLT
- Explains behaviour through direct (through classical and operant conditioning) + indirect reinforcement (cognition)
- Combination of behaviourism and cognition
- Agreed that behaviour is learned through experience
- Observation + imitation of others in a social context
Imitation
When individual observes behaviour from a ROLE MODEL and IMITATES it (not copying as behaviour is not replicated exactly)
Identification (who are role models?)
People (especially children) more likely to imitate behaviour of people they identify with - ROLE MODELS! They posses similar characteristics and/ or are attractive and have high standard
Modelling
Role models behaviour called modelling
Term only used when referring to behaviour that will be imitated
Vicarious reinforcement
Observing the consequences of another persons behaviour
Reinforcement makes behaviour more likely to happen again - when they see the reinforcement the model is receiving
Meditational (mediate = bring about) processes
Cognitive factors and thought behind the imitation of a role model. These considerations are called mediational processes
The four meditational processes
- Attention (behaviour has to grab our attention)
- Retention (the behaviour has to be remembered)
- Reproduction (wether we are able to reproduce the behaviour influences if we do it or not)
- Motivation (rewards and punishment consideration - if rewards outweigh costs then behaviour will be imitated)
Social learning theory procedure
- Half children exposed to adult models interacting aggressively, half non aggressively
- Aggressive models displayed aggressive acts (striking and hitting) w verbal aggression too
- Children frustrated by being shown toys they could play with but not allowed to
- Taken to room with bodo doll
Bobo doll experiment results
- Children who observed aggressive behaviour acted more agressivly when imitating
- Boys acted more aggressively than girls
- Greater level of imitation if the role model was the same gender as child
Bodo doll experiment conclusion
Supports banduras SLT as children observe and directly imitate the behaviours
Follow up research (BDE)
Children who saw their roll model being rewarded for aggressive acts were more likely to show high level of aggression
Supports vicarious reinforcement
Strength of SLT (criminal)
-apply it to criminal behaviour
- Akers (1998) found probability of someone engaging in crime behaviour increases when exposed to models who commit crime
- if individual identified with criminal model and develops expectation of positive consequence, will more likely imitate
Criticism of SLT (problem of causality)
- Siegel and McCormick argue youngsters with deviant attitudes seek out friends with similar attitudes
-So humans don’t simply observe and imitate negative behaviours they also seek out similar peers - So SLT may not be only cause of delinquency and other explanations may account for learning negative behaviours
Criticism of SLT (issue of complexity)
SLT only explains development of gender specific behaviour (role models)
However children exposed to many different influences which interact in a complex way e.g genetic predisposition, media portrayals
So difficult to separate effect of SLT and other factors
(Today is not same as 1961 when there wasn’t internet)
