Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What does the specification say about SLT?
That it includes imitation, identification, modelling, vicarious reinforcement, the role of mediational processes and Bandura’s research
Define SLT?
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
Define imitation?
Copying the behaviour of others
Define identification?
When an individual associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like them
Define modelling?
From the observer’s perspective, modelling is imitating the behaviour of a role model
Define vicarious reinforcement?
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced which occurs through observing someone else being rewarded or punished for a behaviour - key factor in imitation
Define mediational processes?
Cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response
What were the views of Albert Bunch? (assumptions)
Agreed with behaviourists that much of behaviour is learned through experience ; however SLT proposed that people learn through observation and imitation of others within a social context as learning occurs both directly and indirectly through operant conditioning.
What is the role of vicarious reinforcement?
For indirect learning to take place the learner may imitate the behaviour but in general imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded rather than punished (positive reinforcement occurs)
What is the role of mediational processes?
SLT is often described as the bridge between traditional learning theory and the cognitive theory because it focuses on how mental factors are involved in learning. These mental processes made it in the learning theory to determine whether a new response is it quite
For learning to happen which mediational processes (identified by Bandura) need to happen?
- Attention - extent to which we notice certain behaviours
- Retention- how well the behaviour is remembered
- Motor reproduction - ability of observer to perform the behaviour
- Motivation - willingness to perform behaviour, often determined by whether the behaviour is rewarded or punished.
What to 1/2 and 3/4 relate to?
1/2= learning of behaviour
3/4= reproduction of behaviour
Unlike traditional behaviourism the learning and performance of behaviour do not occur together - behaviour may be stored by observer and reproduced at a later time
Explain identification?
People (especially children are more likely to imitate the behaviour of people with whom they identify (role models), this process is called modelling
When does a person become a role model?
When they seem to possess similar characteristics to the observer, have attractive qualities and are often of a higher status - don’t necessarily have to be physically present
What did Bandura do in 1961?
Recorded the behaviour of children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll. Some adults would hammer and shout abuse at the doll and others wouldn’t. When the children later observed playing with toys, they behaved much more aggressively towards the doll and other toys than those who observed a non-aggressive adult
What did Bandura and Walters do in 1963?
Showed videos to children where adult behaved aggressively towards the doll- in the first group the adults were praised for their behaviour and in the second group the adults were told off. The control group saw the aggression without any consequences
What were the results of the Bandura and Walters experiment?
Praise group mostly copied the behaviour followed by the control group and then the punishment group.
Why is the SLT’s acceptance of cognitive factors a strength?
Neither classical nor operant conditioning can offer an adequate explanation for learning on their own. Humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and use it to make judgements where appropriate and the SLT provides a comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes
Why is over reliance on lab studies a limitation?
Many of Bandura’s ideas developed through observation of children in lab settings - they may respond to demand characteristics (behaving in a way they see as expected) and therefore the research shows little about aggression in everyday life (artificial setting-low external validity- lack generalisability)
What does SLT underestimate and why is it a limitation?
Biological factors- little reference to their impact despite the consistent finding that boys were more aggressive than girls regardless of experimental situation, could be explained by hormonal factors (difference in testosterone)
What can SLT explain (strength)
Cultural differences in behaviour- SL principles can account for how children learn from other individuals as well as through the media which can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through societies e.g gender roles
Why is reciprocal determinism a strength?
Understands that we are not merely influenced by external environment but we also influence our own behaviour- this element of choice suggests there’s some free will in the way we behave
What was video nasties influence? (number of films criticised for violent content)
Adults and children are influenced by the aggression displayed in the media and this led to censorship on video nasties as many suggest it frightens children and makes them more likely to act aggressively towards others - real life application
What are some evaluative points for Bandura’s research?
Shows reinforcement is not needed for learning - we can learn by just observing
Children were shown how to play with the doll so arguably an obedience test rather then observational learning
Difficult to conclude observational learning has taken place - behaviours sometimes repeated a long time after they’re observed
