Social Learning Theory + Evaluation Flashcards
What is Social Learning Theory?
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
Who proposed Social Learning Theory?
Albert Bandura
What are the assumptions of Social Learning Theory?
- Behaviour is learned from experience
- People learn through observation and imitation of others
- Learning occurs directly through classical and operant conditioning but also indirectly
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour. This is a key factor in imitation.
When does imitation occur?
If the behaviour is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) rather than punished (vicarious reinforcement). The learner observes a behaviour and the consequences for the behaviour.
What are mediational processes?
Cognitive factors (i.e. thinking) that influence learning and come between stimulus and response
Which are the four mediational processes that were identified by Bandura?
Attention- the extent to which we notice certain behaviours (related to learning)
Retention- how well the behaviour is remembered (related to learning)
Motor reproduction- the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour (related to performance)
Motivation- the will to perform the behaviour, which is often determined by whether the behaviour was punished or rewarded (related to performance)
What is identification?
A desire to be associated with a particular person or group often because the person/group possesses certain desirable characteristics.
What is modelling?
For an observer, it is the process of imitating a role model For a role model, however, modelling is the precise demonstration of a specific behaviour that may then be imitated
Bandura (procedure)
Bandura et al. (1961) recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll.
The adult hit the doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it.
Bandura (findings)
When these children were later observed playing with various toys, including a Bobo doll, they behaved much more aggressively towards the doll and the other toys than those who had observed a non-aggressive adult.
Bandura and Walters (1963)
Showed videos to children where an adult behaved aggressively towards the Bobo doll.
One group of children saw the adult being praised for their behaviour (being told Well done’).
A second group saw the adult punished for the aggression towards the doll, by being told off.
The third group (control group) saw the aggression
without any consequence.
Bandura & Walter 1963 (findings)
When given their own Bobo doll to play with, the first group showed much more aggression, followed by the third group, and then the second.
Strength of SLT
P- There is support for the applicability of SLT to adults.
E.g- Phillips (1986) found that daily homicide rates in the US almost always increased in the week following a major boxing match.
Exp- This suggests that viewers were imitating behaviour they watched and so social learning is evident in adults as well as children.
Limitation of SLT
P- Evidence on which it is
based was gathered through lab studies
Exp- Lab studies are criticised for their contrived nature where participants may respond to demand characteristics.
E.g.- Bobo Doll, main purpose of the doll is to strike it, the children could just be behaving in the way they thought they were meant to
