Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What are the Assumptions?
- SLT is an extension of the behaviourist approach, but there is an interaction between the environment, behaviour and cognitive processes.
- Behaviour can be learned from observing and imitating role models.
- 4 meditational processes (mental processes that occur between the model displaying a behaviour and the imitation of the observer) attention, retention, reproduction and motivation are involved in learning. ARRM
Explain Theory : Social Learning Theory
SLT believes that learning takes place in social context - there are several features of SLT :
- Imitation
- Modelling
- Identification
- Vicarious Reinforcement ( INDIRECT reinforcement)
- Mediational Processes (ARRM)
Explain what is meant by Imitation as one of the several features of SLT.
Imitation is the action of someone/something as a model and copying their behaviour.
It’s used to describe when an individual observes behaviour from a role model and copies it.
Role model is a person who can be observed;they are not trying to teach behaviour behaviour but may influence behaviour of others.
SLT proposes that people, especially children, learn their own behaviour by observing and imitating the behaviour of role models e.g. parents, peers and celebrities.
Explain what is meant by Modelling as one of the several features of SLT.
Modelling is a form of learning where individuals learn a particular behaviour by observing another individual performing that behaviour.
When somebody is influential on an individual in some way, they are referred to as a model.
The characteristics of models Influence the likelihood of imitation of the behaviour.
If individual then imitates that person’s behaviour later, it’s called Modelling the behaviour.
Explain what is meant by Identification as one of the several features of SLT.
When an individual is influenced by another because they are in some way similar or wish to be like them or want to be associated with a particular person/group.
The model is the person with whom they identify. There’s many factors influencing the choice of model by someone including same gender and ethnicity, higher status and greater expertise.
Identification results in more general adaption of behaviours from the model rather than just imitation of 1 or 2.
Explain what is meant by Vicarious Reinforcement (INDIRECT reinforcement) as one of the several features of SLT.
Learning occurs via observation of the behaviour of others and the rewards or punishments received for their behaviour.
When its vicarious, the person learns by observing the consequences of another person’s behaviour e.g. younger sibling observing older sibling being rewarded is more likely to repeat that behaviour themselves.
They don’t receive the reinforcement directly themselves; they see someone else get it.
A reinforcement, such as a reward, make a behaviour more likely to happen again, whereas, punishment will decrease the frequency of behaviour.
Explain what is meant by Mediational Processes as one of the several features of SLT.
We don’t automatically observe the behaviour of a model and imitate it. There’s some thought prior to the imitation and this consideration is called mediational processes.
This occurs between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
There are 4 key mediational processes: Attention, Retention, Reproduction and Motivation (ARRM).
Explain Attention as one of the 4 key mediational processes of SLT.
For behaviour to be imitated it has to grab our attention. We observe behaviour on a daily basis and many of these are not noteworthy.
Attention is therefore pivotal in whether a behaviour has an influence on others imitating it.
Explain Retention as one of the 4 key mediational processes of SLT.
Behaviour may be noticed but not always remembered which prevent imitation.
As much of social learning is not immediate, its important that we form a memory of the behaviour for it to be performed later by the observer.
What 2 key mediational processes are concerned with the Learning of behaviour?
Attention and Retention
Explain Reproduction as one of the 4 key mediational processes of SLT.
We see many behaviours on a daily basis that we would like to be able to imitate, but that is not always possible as we are limited by our physical ability.
The decision to reproduce the behaviour is influenced by the ability of the observer to perform it so this has to be considered mentally before imitation is attempted e.g. 90 year old lady who struggles to walk watching Dancing on Ice may desire this skill but she won’t attempt to imitate it because she cannot physically do it.
Explain Motivation as one of the 4 key mediational processes of SLT.
The rewards and punishment that follow a behaviour will be considered by the observer.
If the perceived rewards outweigh the costs (if there’s any) then the behaviour will be more likely to be imitated by the observer.
If vicarious reinforcement is not seen to be important enough to the observer then they will not imitate the behaviour.
What 2 key mediational processes are concerned with the performance of behaviour?
Reproduction and motivation - Which is another difference from behaviourism where earning and performance have to occur together.
What is another A03 point that could be used? (Bandura)
Bandura conducted research which amongst other things looked at whether rewarding the model affected the likelihood of the behaviour being imitated by an observer.
Research: Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment - Bandura, Ross & Ross (1961)
Bandura conducted research which amongst other things looked at whether rewarding the model affected the likelihood of the behaviour being imitated by an observer.
