the learning approach: social learning theory Flashcards
what is modeling
people (especially children) are much more likely to imitate the behaviour of the people with whom they identify, called role models
This process is called modelling
what is the mediation process
it is the cognitive factors (i.e. thinking) that influence learning and come between stimulus and response
what is modelling
from the observer’s perspective, modelling is imitating the behaviour of a role model
From the role model’s perspective, modelling is the presence demonstration of a specific behaviour that may imitated by an observer
what does indirect learning involve/ what is vicarious reinforcement
for indirect learning to take place an individual observes the behaviour of others
The learner may imitate this behaviour but, in general, imitation occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) rather than punished- this is vicarious reinforcement
Therefore, a learner observes a behaviour and the consequences of a behavior
what do the mental factors do in SLT
these mental factors mediate (i.e. intervene) in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired
what is identification
when an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model
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
what are the four mental or mediated processes in learning identified by Bandura
- Attention - the extent to which we notice behaviours
- Retention - how well the behaviour is remembered
- motor reproduction - the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
- Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour, which is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished
The first two of these relate to the learning of behaviour and the last two to the performance of behaviour, learning and performance of behaviour need not occur together
how does a person become a role model
a person becomes a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/ or are attractive and have high status
Role models may not necessarily be physically present in the environment, and this important implication for the influence of the media on behaviour
what does SLT focus on
SLT is often described as the “bridge” between traditional learning theory and the cognitive approach because it focuses on how mental (cognitive) factors are involved in learning
e.g.
stimulus - mediated response (thinking) - response
what is imitation
copying the behaviour of others
what are the assumptions of the social learning theory
Albert Bandura agreed with the behaviourists that much of our behaviour is learned from experience
However, his social learning theory (SLT) proposed a different way in which people learn:
through observation and imitation of others within a social context, thus social learning
SLT suggested that learning occurs directly, through classical and operant conditioning, but also indirectly
