Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What did Albert Bundara agree with regarding the Behaviourist Approach, and what did he suggest further?
Agrees that learning occurs through experience but also suggested it takes place through observation / imitation of others.
Define Vicarious Reinforcement
children/ adults observe others behaviours and if it appears to be rewarded it is likely to be copied.
What 2 mediational processes relate during learning?
What 2 mediational processes relate to performance?
(proposed by Bandura)
Attention – whether behaviour is noticed
Retention – whether behaviour is remembered
Motor reproduction – being able to do it
Motivation – the will to perform the behaviour
What is the process of identification?
People (especially children) are more likely to imitate behaviour for those who they identify with.
Modelling takes places in the form of role models, who children are more likely to be influenced by.
What was the method to Bandura’s (1961) original study and what does it illustrate the concept of?
children watched either:
– an adult behaving aggressively towards a bobo doll
–an adult behaving non-aggressively towards a bobo cell
illustrates the concept of observational learning + imitation.
What was the method of Banduras + Walter’s (1963) study which focused on the affects tv has on aggression levels?
What concept does it illustrate?
Children watched adults who were rewarded, punished and when there was no consequence for their aggression towards to bobo doll.
Illustrates concept of vicarious reinforcement.
What were the 2 results from Bandova’s studies, regarding aggression levels?
When the child was given their doll, those who observed aggressive behaviour treated it aggressively
Whereas if they observed this aggressive behaviour being rewarded, they’ll be more aggressive themselves.
What do the Bobo doll studies suggest about children?
That they are likely to imitate acts of violence if observed from an adult model.
What are the 2 strengths to the SLT?
Emphasises importance of cognitive factors
Real world application
Define the two strengths to SLT?
Emphasises importance of cognitive factors as it provides a more complete explanation of human learning by recognising mediational processes, unlike CC/OC due to its use of animals.
Real world application as SLT can account for how kids learn from others around them, as well as through the media.
What is the counterpoint issue to SLT?
recent studies suggest observational learning is controlled by mirror neurons, and that SLT may make little reference to the influence of biological factors.
What is the limitation to SLT?
It relies too heavily on evidence contrived from lab studies
Explain the limitation to SLT?
Many of Bandura’s studies are from lab settings, raising the problem of demand characteristics.
Children may have acted in a way they believed was expected– therefore influencing a lack of ecological validity.
What is the idea of ‘Reciprocal Determinism’ emphasised by Bandura?
This is where we are influenced by our environment but we also exert an influence on it through behaviours we choose to perform.
What does the idea of ‘Reciprocal Determinism’ suggest, and why is it better than the Behaviourist Approach?
Suggests there is an aspect of free will
More realistic + flexible position than suggested by Behaviourist Approach as it recognises the role we have in shaping our environment.
