Social Learning Theory (Main Features) Flashcards
What is meant by social learning theory
The idea that behaviours can be obtained by imitating others.
What are the 3 key areas in SLT (social learning theory)
- Modelling
- Observating and immitating
- Vicarious reinforcement
Modelling:
When does this occur
When a role model is desplaying behaviour in the presence of an observer
Modelling:
What factors influnce whether the role model is imitated or not
- Sex
- Age
- Attractiveness
- Social Status
Observation and imitation:
define observation
to watch or listen to behaviour in others
Observation and imitation:
Define imitation
copying observed behaviour
- most important behaviour in SLT
Observation and imitation:
Why is imitation the most important behaviour in SLT
This is how the observers learn the behaviour, allowing it to be reproduced whenever it’s appropriate
Vicarious reinforcement:
Define vicarious reinfrocement
Observation of the consequences of someone elses behaviour
Vicarious Reinforcement:
When does it happen
When the observer witnesses the model being rewarded in someway for behaviour
Stages of Social Learning:
What are the stages of SLT
- Attention
- Retention
- Reproduction
- Motivation
Stages of Social Learning:
Define attention
observer must pay attention to the model
Stages of Social Learning
Define retention
storing the modelled behaviour in memory
Stages of Social Learning
Define reproduction
recall and enactment of the modelled behaviour
Stages of Social Learning
Define motivation
Force that drives the person to performe the behaviour - in SLT this is the result of vicarious reinforcement
Strength of research evidence of SLT:
What is a strength of research evidence supporting SLT
Research on SLT on both humans and animals support the existance of it
Strength of research evidence of SLT:
What is the research evidence that supports SLT in humans
Banduras studies showed children are able to imitate an aggressive role model after observing said role model acting in an aggressive way towards the ‘bobo doll’
Strength of research evidence of SLT:
What is research evidence that supports SLT on animals
Nicol and Pope showed that chicken would imitate socially high status chickens in where they would peck on a pad to obtain food
Strength of research evidence of SLT:
What do these researches mean
Supports banduras claim that behaviour can be acquired via observing and imitating, and how imitating is affected by characteristics of model
Weakness of research evidence of SLT:
What is a weakness of research evidence
Research shows genetic factors are as important in behaviour as environmental factors.
Weakness of research evidence of SLT:
What is a research that shows genetic influence in behaviour
Kendler et al showed identical twins are more similar in levels of aggression than non-identical twins.
Weakness of research evidence of SLT:
What does this evidence suggest
Individual differences in behaviours are genetically influenced and not a product of modelling.
- SLT is not a complete explanation of acquisition of behaviour
Strength of application of SLT:
What is an application of SLT to real life
Can explain the alleged effect of media violence on aggression in children
Strength of application of SLT:
Evidence of its application on media violence on aggression in children
There is concern children may imitate violence portrayed in films, TV and video games. SLT is useful as it helps us predict when imitation of violence may happen. (characteristics of model)
Strength of application of SLT:
What does this evidence suggest
demonstrates the significance of SLT in shaping society’s thoughts on what behaviours are modelled by the media.
