social learning theory Flashcards
what is the social learning theory?
● extension of behaviourist approach proposed by albert bandura
● argues all behaviour is due to our environment, but not from conditioning instead observation and imitation
what are the 3 assumptions of the social learning theory?
● behaviour is shaped through observation and imitation
● behaviour is shaped through vicarious reinforcement
● role of meditational factors influences our behaviour
explain observation and imitation
learning takes place in social context through observation and imitation of role models, who we identify and see as similar to us
explain the bobo doll experiment - bandura
● children aged 3 and 5 years divided into different experimental conditions. they watched either:
● an adult behaving aggressively towards bobo doll or
an adult behaving non aggressively towards bobo doll
● when given their own doll to play with, children who had seen aggression were much more aggressive towards doll
● study suggests that children are more likely to imitate acts of violence if they observe these in an adult role model
what is vicarious reinforcement?
● form of indirect learning
● behaviours learnt though observing consequences of seeing others being rewarded or punished for their behaviour
how is vicarious reinforcement different to operant conditioning?
● observing consequences of seeing others being punished and rewarded rather than yourself
explain bandura’s follow up study
● different groups of children saw:
● model rewarded for their aggressive behaviour
● model punished for their aggressive behaviour
● model receives no reward / punishment for their aggressive behaviour
● when given own doll, children who saw aggression rewarded were much more aggressive themselves
● study suggests that children imitated behaviour as they saw it being rewarded therefore they believed same reward would be given to them
what are meditational processes?
● thoughts prior to imitation
● attention - extent to which we notice certain behaviours
● retention - how well we remember behaviour
● motor reproduction - ability of observer to actually preform behaviour
● motivation - will/desire to perform behaviour (often determined if observer sees behaviour being rewarded or punishment )
