The Learning Approach: Social Learning Theory Flashcards
(18 cards)
Who proposed the social learning theory?
Albert Bandura
What did Albert Bandura suggest about peoples’ learning behaviours?
Albert Bandura suggested people observe and imitate othrs within a social context
Outline the social learning theory:
The social learning theory states we learn through experience. Additionally that people learn from the actions and behaviours of others around us
How does indirect learning take place?
Indirect learning takes places when an individual observes the behaviour of others
Generally, when is a behaviour imitated?
Generally a behaviour is imitated when the behaviour is seen ti be rewarded (reinforced) rather than punished
When the individual observes behaviour and sees the behaviour rewarded rather than punished, what is this referred to as?
Vicarious reinforcement
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Vicarious reinforcement is reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour
How many meditational processes did Bandora identify, and what are they all called?
1) Attention
2) Retention
3) Motor reproduction
4) Motivation
What is the attention stage of the mediational process
The attention stage occurs first where the person first notices a particular behaviour before it can be copied
What is the retention stage of the mediational process?
The retention stage is when the behaviour is stored into memory
What is the motor reproductive stage of the mediational process?
The motor reproduction stage refers to the physical ability of the individual to carry out the behaviour observed
What is the motivation stage of the mediational process?
The motivation stage is when the rewards and costs associated with the imitation of the behaviour are considered
What do the first two stages of the mediational process relate to, compared to the last two stages of the mediational processes?
The first two stages (attention + retention) relate to the learning of behaviours, the last two stages (motor reproduction + motivation) relate to the performance of the behaviour
What makes people more likely to imitate behaviours?
People are more likely to imitate behaviours of people, they identify with, called “role models”
What are three factors that lead to someone becoming a role model?
Someone becomes a role model if they are seen to have similar characteristics to the observer or are attractive/high status
What is a limitation of the social learning theory? (underestimates biological factors, findings of aggression, reduce validity)
The social learning theory underestimates the influence of biological factors, as there is little reference to the impact of such factors.
Consistently findings have found that boys are more aggressive than girls, which can be explained by hormonal factors.
This means that the lack of emphasis of biological factors on behaviour reduces the validity of the social learning theory
What is a strength of the social learning theory?
(explains children learning + transmission of cultural norms, understanding range of behaviours, increase value of SLT)
The social learning theory can account for how chidlren learn from other people around them and this can explain how cultural norms are transmitted
This has proved useful in understanding a range of behaviours, such as how children come to understand their gender role by imitating role models
This increases the value of SLT as it can account for real - world behaviour
What is a strength of the social learning theory? (overemphasis on behaviour)
There is an overstatement on the role of observational learning while undervaluing other forms of learning.
For the social learning theory to describe behaviour solely in terms of either nature or nurture is limiting, attempting to do this underestimates the complexity of human behaviour.
Therefore the overemphasis on one way of learning, devalues and reduces the validity of the theory
