Social learning theory Flashcards
(10 cards)
modelling
a behaviour means demonstrating it to another person (usually not deliberate). The person who performs the behaviour is the model.
Learning through observation
the observer actively focuses their attention on the models behaviour and watches how it is performed. The model’s actions must be retained in memory prior to being repeated from the observer.
Limitation
This is more likely if the observer identifies with the model. This happens for 2 main reasons, either observer perceives model as similar to them, or they value or admire the model.
Vicarious reinforcement
learning through the models experience of reinforcement or consequence.
Case study Jamie Bulger
12th February 1993 in Merseyside, two 10 year old boys, abducted, tortured and murdered a two year old boy. They let him away when his mum wasn’t looking and mutilated body was found on a railway line two and a half miles.
How well does SLT explain behaviour
Study of humans and animals. Bandura’s later research confirmed that children are more likely to imitate an adult model when the model’s behaviour is reinforced.
The findings of Bandura can help us to understand how children acquire aggressive behaviours and how they can be reduced.
Psychologists can now understand the family environment and male- male/female- female identification with the parents. This has important implications for social policy like custody of children.
Cannot explain the tole of genetic factors Kendler et al (2015) found that levels of aggression are more similar in identical twins than non- identical twins. This supports assumption that aggressive behaviour might be partly genetic.
Carried out in controlled lab conditions. This means that the situations in which the researchers measured aggression was different to real like aggressive scenarios
One strength of the behaviourist and social learning approach
Scientific research that supports this. Skinner gave rats a food pellet as a reward when they pressed a lever. As a result, the rats learnt to continually press the lever.
one limitation of the behaviourist and social learning approach
The approach is reductionist, it only considers stimuli in the environment as being responsible for behaviour. Other factors such as genetic influences are ignored
One strength of the behaviourist and social learning approach
Scientific research that supports this. Skinner gave rats a food pellet as a reward when they pressed a lever. As a result, the rats learnt to continually press the lever.
