The Social Learning Theory Flashcards
Who was a key researcher in the Social Learning Theory
Bandura
How did Bandura believe that people could learn
Through the observing other’s behaviour, including seeing the consequences of other’s behaviour. On the basis of this feedback they would develop theories about the behaviour most likely to succeed in a given situation
What is modelling
In order for social learning to take place someone must carry out the attitude or behaviour to be learned. This is modelling and the people who perform the action are called models
What are the different types of models
Live model - Someone real, could be a teacher, parent or peer member
Symbolic Model - Someone portrayed in media, like a character in TV
What is imitation
Models behaviour which has been observed and can later be reproduced
Who is a key model for learning attitudes and behaviours
Parents, with research showing that entire patters of behaviour can be learned fast through imitation
What are the key determinants of whether a behaviour is imitated
-The characteristics of the model
-The percieved ability to perform these behaviours
- Observed consequences of the behaviour
How do the characteristics of the model determine imitation
Imitation is more likely if the individual identifies with the model. To identify with the model the person must percieve that they are similar enough that they are likely to experience the same consequences from the behaviour. Shutts et al found children particularly identify with same sex models
Who did Shutts et al suggest children are more likely to identify with
Models who are similar, particularly same sex models
Who found children particularly identify with same sex models
Shutts et al
How does the percieved ability to replicate behaviour influence imitation
Imitation will only occur is the individual perceives that they are able to replicate observed behaviours. Importantly this view doesn’t necessarily have to grounded in reality, as people can believe they are capable of far more than they actually are
What is vicarious reinforcement
Observing the consequences of a behaviour, and assessing whether to imitate based on the likelyhood of experiencing these outcomes themselves
What research supports the existance of vicarious reinforcement
Bandura and Walters noticed children who observed a model being rewarded for aggressive behaviour were much more likely to imitate than children observing a model punished for the same behaviour
Who found evidence of vicarious reinforcement
Bandura and Walters
What key study did Bandura carry out into social learning
The Bobo Doll Experiment
What were the two conditions of the Bobo Doll Experiment
Half of the children observed non-aggressive models interacting with a Bobo Doll, while the other half observed an aggressive model displaying distinctive physical aggressive acts like hitting the doll with a mallet
What did the children in the Bobo Doll Experiment do after observing the models
They were fustrated by being shown attractive toys which they were not allowed to play with, and taken to a room with lots of toys including a Bobo Doll
What were the findings of Bandura’s Bobo Doll experiment
Found children who observed the aggressive model reproduced a good deal of physical and verbally aggressive behaviour, while those exposed to the non agressive model exibited virtually none. Around 1/3 of aggressive exposed children repeated the models verbal responses
What did Bandura find in a Bobo Doll follow up study
Children who saw the model being rewarded for aggressive acts were more likely to show a high level of aggression
What is the mediational process
Where an individual weighs up the probable consequences of behaviours and when it is appropriate to display the behaviour
How has the social learning theory helped increase our understanding of criminal behaviour (eval)
Akers suggested that the probability of engaging in criminal behaviour increases when exposed to criminal models, identify with them and expect rewards from imitating their behaviour.
What research supports the SLT’s role on criminal behaviour
Ulrich supported the importance of the social learning theory in his review of literature, finding that the strongest cause of violent behaviour in adolescence was association with delinquent peer groups, where violence was both modelled and rewarded
Who suggested the probability of criminal behaviour went up when exposed to criminal models
Akers
Who supported Akers view on the role of social learning in criminal behaviour
Ulrich
Why is identification important in influencing behaviour (eval)
Media attempts to change unhealthy behaviours found models similar to target audienc are more likely to bring about identification (phsical, attitude, behaviour). Andsager et al found that percieved similarity to a model in anti-alcohol advertising positively correlated with the message’s effectiveness
Who found that percieved similarity to an anti-advertising model affected effectiveness
Andsager
What research found that identification could increase exercise using VR (eval)
Fox and Bailenson found evidence for identification using computer generated virtual humans engaging in exercise or loitering. These models either lookes similar to the participant or dissimilar. Those who same the exercising model were more likely to exercise in the 24 hours following the experiment, and they concluded increased identification was the reason
Who used VR participants to make them get off their fat ass and exercise
Fox and Bailenson
Why is causation an issue for the SLT (eval)
It suggests that having deviant peers will result in individuals adopting the same values and behaviours but Siegel and McCormick suggest that young people who possess deviant attitudes and values would seek out peers with similar attitudes and behaviours, as they are more fun to be with. This means it could be possession of deviant attitudes rather than deviant peers
Who suggested deviants simply seek out deviants
Siegel and McCormick
