The Social Learning Theory Flashcards
What are the assumptions of the social learning theory? (AO1)
> Humans learn using vicarious reinforcement by observing the behaviour of others and the favourable outcomes associated with that behaviour.
> Observed behaviours which are rewarded will be repeated (imitation).
> The person whose behaviour is being imitated is called the role model and the process of imitation is called modelling.
> Role models are typically people of similar age, gender and race.
> Learning can sometimes occur without a change in behaviour. This behaviour may occur at a later time, or may never occur due to lack of opportunities or lack of motor skills.
> Mediational processes such as attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation occur during learning.
What is meant by vicarious reinforcement?
When a person observes the behaviour of others and the favourable outcomes associated with that behaviour, so they repeat that behaviour.
What is the person whose behaviour is being imitated known as?
Role model
What is the process of imitation called?
Modelling
What kind of people can be considered as role models?
People who share similar characteristics…
Similarities may include…
Age
Gender
Race
When does learning sometimes occur without a change in behaviour?
When people may not have the opportunity to carry out the behaviour
When people may not have the motor skills / capacity to carry it out
What is meant by mediational processes?
The cognitive process that is involved during learning behaviour.
What do the mediational processes include?
Attention
Retention
Rehearsal / Motor reproduction
Motivation
What is attention?
Observing a behaviour or stimulus
What is retention?
Remembering the behaviour
What is rehearsal / motor reproduction?
Carrying out the observed behaviour
What is rehearsal / motor reproduction?
Carrying out the observed behaviour
What is motivation?
The desire to continue carrying out the behaviour
Outline Bandura’s experiment (AO1)
> Aim: Bandura et al (1961) wanted to investigate whether aggression can be learned through SLT.
> Method: Children aged 3-6 years were put into 1 of 3 conditions:
Aggressive model – child played while an adult hit and shouted at a “Bobo doll”
Non-aggressive model – child played while an adult played quietly with toys.
Control group – child did not see a model.
> Results:
Children who saw the aggressive model produced more aggressive acts compared to the other conditions.
Boys imitated same-sex models more, and girls imitated more physical aggression if they saw male models, and more verbal aggression if they saw female models.
> Conclusion: Aggressive behaviour can be learned in children through observation and imitation of a model.
