Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What does social learning theory explain?
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.
Who proposed social learning theory?
Albert Bandura.
What is imitation in social learning theory?
Copying the behaviour of others.
Define identification in the context of social learning theory.
When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model.
What is modelling?
Imitating the behaviour of a role model; from the role model’s perspective, it is the precise demonstration of a specific behaviour.
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour.
What are mediational processes?
Cognitive factors (e.g., thinking) that influence learning and mediate between stimulus and response.
List the four mediational processes identified by Bandura.
- Attention
- Retention
- Motor reproduction
- Motivation
True or False: According to Bandura, learning occurs only through direct experience.
False.
What type of studies did Bandura use to illustrate social learning theory?
Lab studies, specifically using the Bobo doll.
Fill in the blank: A person becomes a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are _______.
[attractive and have high status]
What did Bandura and Walters (1963) find in their study regarding aggression and reinforcement?
Children who saw an adult praised for aggression behaved more aggressively than those who saw the adult punished.
What is reciprocal determinism in social learning theory?
The idea that individuals are not merely influenced by their environment but also exert influence upon it through their behaviours.
What criticism is often leveled against social learning theory?
It makes too little reference to biological factors influencing learning.
True or False: Social learning theory can account for cultural differences in behaviour.
True.
What implication did Bandura’s Bobo doll experiments have on media influence?
They raised questions about whether children are influenced by violence in media.
What is one strength of social learning theory?
It recognizes the importance of cognitive factors in learning.
Fill in the blank: The learning and performance of behaviour do not always occur _______.
[together]
List two factors that influence motivation in the context of social learning theory.
- Whether the behaviour was rewarded
- Whether the behaviour was punished
What role do mirror neurons play in social learning?
They allow us to empathize with and imitate others.
What was the main concern regarding the methodological approach of Bandura’s studies?
Lab studies may involve demand characteristics and lack ecological validity.
What is the significance of understanding gender role development through social learning theory?
It explains how children learn from others and the media, transmitting cultural norms.
Outline the implications of social learning theory on children’s behaviour in relation to media.
Media can potentially have a negative impact by modeling violence and aggressive behaviours.
What does Bandura suggest about the role of free will in social learning?
There is an element of choice in how we behave, contrasting with strict behaviourism.
