social learning theory Flashcards
assumptions
*learning is thru observing and imitating a model
*element of free will as we can choose what model to identify w
*considers cog factors involved in learning
Feature one- non- mediational processes
Modelling- imitating behaviour of role model. From role model POV-p showing observer behaviour to imitate.
Identification- observer associates w model cause similarity or wants to be like model
Imitation- bheaviour is observed and copies
Vicarious reinforcemnet- observe someone rewarded for behaviour, increases chnace behaviour will be imitated to recieve same reward.
Feature 2- mediational processes
*A- attention- observe behaviour ro be able to replicate
*R- retention- store mem of behaviour in LTM, allowing it to be remembered. likely if info is easy to store, memorable, if behaviour is observed repeatedly.
*R- reproduction- indi must have skills and capabilities to reproduce models behaviour. Likely to be repeated if its easy to do
+M- motivation- may be motivated to imitate behaviour cause seen someone get rewarded Or cause identify w model
Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study
*36 girls and boys
*aim: see if aggresive beahviour could be learnt thru observation
*controlled environment- divided into 2 conditions
Non- agressive- observed model assemble toys in quiet manner ignoring doll.
Aggresive- observed model acting aggresively towards doll
Findings:
aggresive condition- kids had sig higher physical, verbal aggresion scores compared to non-aggresive/control groups.
boys more likely to imitate agression more than girls, esp if model was male.
Conclusion of Bobo Doll exp
*ppl more likely to imitate male aggresive model. as physical aggresion is perceived aas male appropate behaviour
Evaluation of SLT
Strengths:
P- scientific methods, uses scientif enquiry to investigate human bhaviour
E- based on objective and emp tech like Bandura’s lab exp, that had high control over ext such as model showing same aggresive behaviours
L- increases overall int valdity of SLT, rasing psychs scientific status
P- practical applications
E- principles of the theory that learning occurs by obsreving and imitating a model, has been used by government to control how media portray certain behaviours
E-restricted ads of alchoho, to reduce negative behaviour.
L- important part of applied psych as it helps promote positive behaviours in real world.
P- praised for going beyound behaviourist approach that suggests no choice but to learn, and considers elemt of free will in their learning (soft determinism)
E- all human behaviour is result of external causes (observe and imitating model) but we also have ability to make conscious decisons about whetehr or not imitate and who we choose to model beahviour from.
L- therefore SLt could be considered superior to approaches that take hard determinism stance.
Limitation:
P- alt exp- bio exp
E- suggests that beahviour is due to genes/hormones rather than learning thru observation
E- role of hormones in banduras exp as one consistent finding was that boys were often more aggresive than girls regardless of situation. Diff could be explained by hormones- levels of test/ warrior genes in males that could be inherited rather than aggresion being due to observation and imitation of models.
L- SLT not the only exp that should be considered
