Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What theory expands upon Behaviourist theories by incorporating role models?
Social Learning Theory (SLT)
Developed by Albert Bandura in the 1960s.
What are the four mediational processes in Social Learning Theory?
- Attention
- Retention
- Reproduction
- Motivation
These processes are necessary for effective learning.
Define ‘modeling’ in the context of Social Learning Theory.
Observing and imitating another person (the model)
Identification with the model is also crucial.
What is ‘vicarious reinforcement’?
Seeing others being rewarded for a behavior influences whether someone chooses to imitate that behavior
It plays a role in learning through observation.
List the cognitive processes required for effective learning according to SLT.
- Attention
- Retention
- Reproduction
- Motivation
Each process must occur for learning to take place.
What does the ‘retention’ process refer to in SLT?
The ability to remember what was observed
Retention may also be referred to as ‘encoding’.
What is the significance of Bandura et al.’s (1961) study on aggression?
It demonstrated that children imitate aggressive behavior from adult role models
The study involved 36 girls and 36 boys and had a matched participants design.
What was the conclusion of Bandura et al.’s (1961) study?
Aggressive behavior is learned through imitation of others behaving aggressively
The study provides evidence for Social Learning Theory.
True or False: According to SLT, reinforcement is necessary for learning.
False
Learning can occur through observation without direct reinforcement.
What is a limitation of Social Learning Theory?
It is reductionist, ignoring biological explanations for behavior
This limits its comprehensiveness in explaining behavior.
Fill in the blank: The process of judging whether you can reproduce a behavior is called _______.
Reproduction
It influences the likelihood of imitating a behavior.
What ethical concern arose from Bandura et al.’s (1961) study?
The study encouraged aggression in children
This raises questions about the ethics of exposing children to aggressive models.
What does SLT emphasize in the nature-nurture debate?
Learning as the cause of behavior
This positions SLT on the ‘nurture’ side of the debate.
What was the method used in Bandura et al.’s (1961) study?
Children observed aggressive and non-aggressive adult models in controlled conditions
Their behavior was then observed in a room with various toys.
