Social learning theory Flashcards
Social learning theory
assumptions
way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement- learning theory+ cognitive factors
Social learning theory
person
Bandura
Social learning theory
parts
Vicarious reinforcement Meditational processes └attention, retention, motor reproductio, motivation Bobo doll study (bandura et al (1961)) Imitation, Identification, Modelling
Vicarious reinforcement
└indirect reinforcement- observing someone else being reinforced for behaviour
└ can lead to imitation
Meditational processes
definition
cognitive factors that influence learning and come between a stimulus and response
Meditational processes
processes
└1) attention
└the extent to which we notice certain behaviours
└2) retention
└how well behaviour is remembered
└3) motor reproduction
└the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
└4) motivation
└the will to perform the behaviour- if punished/rewarded
└learning and performance don’t have to be together unlike traditional behaviourism
Bobo doll study
└bandura et al (1961)
└children saw adult be aggressive to doll
└=they more aggressive to doll
└children saw adult be non-aggressive to doll
└=they less aggressive to doll
└shows modelling/imitation
└bandura and walters (1963)
└children most to least aggressive:
└adult aggression to doll- praised
└adult aggression to doll- nothing
└adult aggression to doll- punished
Imitation
copying the behaviour of others
Identification
observer associated themselves with role model- wants to be like them
Modelling
imitating behaviour of role model
Social learning theory
strengths
Explains cultural differences in behaviour
└explains how children lean form others/media
└cultural norms- e.g. gender norm
Social learning theory
limitations
Over reliance on lab studies
└lab studies= demand characteristics
└e.g. in bobo doll study, bobo doll made to hit
Underestimates biological factors
└e.g. bobo doll study
└boys more aggressive than girls
└hormonal factors- more testosterone
