the learning approach: social learning theory Flashcards
social learning theory suggests that
learning occurs both directly , through classical/operant conditioning and indirectly through vicarious reinforcement
social learning theory assumes that learning occurs through the following stages
an observer identifies themselves with a desirable role model
the role model displays a specific behaviour which is imitated by the observer
the likelihood that the observed behaviour will be imitated is increased if the role model is seen to be ‘ vicariously reinforced ‘ or rewarded
- therefore the consequences of the observed behaviour are more important than observing the behaviour alone
role model
a person with whom the observer identifies with
role model is usually attractive , has high social status and of a similar age/gender to observer
cane exert influence indirectly ie seen in the media
identification
the process by which an observer relates to/assosicates themselves with a role model and aspires to become more like that role model
vicarious reinforcement
a type of indirect learning which occurs when an observer sees their role model being rewarded for displaying a certain behaviour , the observer is then more motivated to imitate their behaviour , to revive same reward
meditational processes
cognitive processes which mediate/intervene between stimulus and response
ARRM
attention retention reproduction motivation
the first two meditational processes are involved with the observation and understanding of the behaviour while the later two are
involved in the actual imitation of the behaviour
this separation means that observed behaviours do not always need to be reproduced at the same time
banduras bobo doll study 1961
outline
36 boys / 36 gild
aged 3-6
three exp groups
1. exposed to real life aggressive models
2. observed same models on film
3. agressive carton character
banduras bobo doll study 1961
findings
children who’d observed an aggressive role model behaved more aggressively themselves towards the bobo doll compared to the non aggressive role model control group
a weakness is banduras bobo doll study ignores the biological differences between boys and girls , SLT suggests that we learn from experience and so ignore other biological/psychological factors thus adopting environmental deteminism. however bandura ignored the finding that
boys were more agressive than girls and showed more aggressive gun play
this may be explained due to boys having higher levels of testosterone , which has been increased aggressiveness
therefore suggesting that SLT may not be a complete explanation for gender differences in behaviour, due to not accounting for the biological and hormonal differences between sexes
another weakness in banduras bobo doll study is demand charcateristics , thus may lack internal validity due to not entirely investigating the effect of agressive role models as it is not specifically designed for this , the study may also lack
mundane relaism because it does not represent or measure how children would be agressive in day to day situations
therefore participants may have acted more agressive deliberately towards the doll , to please the experimenter (the Please-U-effect)
reducing generalisiablilty of findings
a strength is that it recognises the role of human cognition , human cognitive and decision making processes may be considered as more complex than animals , SLT has an advantage of behaviourism that it recognises the role of
meditational processes as the conscious and cognitive insight that humans have into their behvaiour
therefore SLT may be a better explanation of human behaviour compared to behaviourism
