Social learning theory Flashcards
What is social learning theory?
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combing learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.
What is imitation?
Copying behaviour of others.
What is identification?
When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like them.
How does a person become a role model?
If they possess similar characteristics to the observer or are physically attractive or of high status, but do don’t have to physically present- implications from the media.
What is modelling?
From the observer’s perspective is imitating the behaviour of a role model.
From the role model’s perspective is the the precise demonstration of a specific behaviour that may be imitated by an observer.
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Reinforcement which is indirectly experienced, but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour.
In what case goes general imitation occur?
If the behaviour being observed is rewarded (reinforced) by rather than being punished.
What are meditational processes?
Cognitive factors that influence learning and come between a stimulus and a response.
What are the 4 mediational processes (Bandura 1977)?
- Attention- the extent to which we notice certain behaviours.
- Retention- how well the behaviour is remembered.
- Motor reproduction- ability of the observer to perform the behaviour.
- Motivation- the will to perform the behaviour, which is often determined by whether the behaviour is rewarded or punished.
How are cognitive factors a role in SLT.
Mental factors mediate in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired.
How are the mediational processes linked?
Attention and retention relate to the the learning of behaviour.
Motor reproduction and motivation relate to performance of behaviour.
What is a difference between behaviourism and learning & performance?
Learning & performance do not need to occur together as observed behaviours may be stored by the observer and reproduced later.
What are the assumptions of SLT?
• Badura agreed that much of behaviour is learnt from experience, but SLT proposed a different way- through observation and imitation of others within a social context (social learning).
• SLT suggests learning happens directly (through classical and operant conditioning) and indirectly (vicarious reinforcement).
What are the strengths of SLT?
• SLT offers a more comprehensive explanation for learning of their own by accounting for mediational processes.
• can explain cultural differences in behaviour- differences are due to different observational contexts.
• Bandura emphasised reciprocal determinism- not merely influenced by environmental but also exert an influence upon it, suggests some free will in behaviour.
Weaknesses of SLT?
• over reliance of lab experiments- demand characteristics e.g. thought the aim of the study was to harm the bobo doll.
• ignored biological facts- gender differences that cannot be accounted for by SLT e.g. the aggression levels shown towards the bobo doll.
• Application- video nasties impact on childern.
• Cannot explain behaviour where there is no apparent role model.
