Social Learning Theory Flashcards
1
Q
What is the social learning theory?
A
- Learning through observing others and imitating behaviours that are rewarded.
2
Q
Assumptions of SLT
A
- Behaviour is learned from experience and environment.
- Learning occurs directly and indirectly. Meditational processes that lie between stimulus and response are essential for learning to occur as they allow us to think about actions before we do them.
- Using scientific, lab based studies to study behaviour objectively.
3
Q
What is modelling?
A
- For social learning to take place, someone must first carry out the behaviour or attitude to be learned.
- The person performing this role is referred to as a model.
- Live models could be a teacher or parent or a member of peer group.
- Symbolic model is somebody portrayed in the media.
- These models provide examples of behaviours that can be observed by the individual and later reproduced by imitating them.
4
Q
What is identification?
A
- The extent to which and individual relates to a model and wants to be like them.
- More likely to happen if the individual feels that they are similar.
- To identify with a model, the observer must feel that they would be likely to experience the same outcomes in that situation.
- If an individual identifies with a model they are more likely to imitate them.
5
Q
What is imitation?
A
- Much of what a child learns is through imitation.
- This is copying of attitudes and behaviours that are modelled by people around us.
- There are several factors that determine if a behaviour is imitated; characteristic of the model, observers ability to perform that behaviour and the consequences of the behaviour.
6
Q
What is vicarious reinforcement?
A
- An individual who observed a model being rewarded for certain behaviour is more likely to repeat behaviour as they want the same reward.
- Idea that individuals do not need to experience rewards or punishments directly in order to learn. Can observe consequences experienced by a model and make judgments as to the likelihood of them experiencing the same outcomes.
- When opportunity to perform learnt behaviour occurs the behaviour will be modelled.
- If individual observes a punished behaviour then it less likely the behaviour will be imitated.
7
Q
Meditational processes
A
- Attention - to learn a behaviour we must notice someone in their environment and pay attention to what they are doing.
- Retention - must remember what they have observed.
- Motor Reproduction- know they have the ability to perform the behaviour.
- Motivation - must have a reason to demonstrate the behaviour they have observed. Imitation more likely if they expect reinforcement.
8
Q
Evaluation - Deterministic
A
- Less deterministic than behaviourist approach
- Individual has cognitive mental processes to allow a person to choose whether they want to imitate an observed behaviour. E.g if a child observes a role model acting aggressively they can choose if they want to imitate it. If are motivated they are more likely to choose to imitate.
- Strength - more free will, slight choice, Meditational processes. No choice in learning from environment.
9
Q
Evaluation - Evidence
A
- Supporting evidence
- Bobo aggression study supports SLT as it demonstrates the power of a child observing a role model producing an aggressive act and how they imitate it.
- Strength - adds validity and credibility.
10
Q
Evaluation - Applications
A
- Principles of SLT have been used to increase understanding of why humans behave in a pro social or anti social way.
- Can be used to explain how children develop aggressive behaviour or gender stereotypical behaviour. Gender behaviours and aggressive behaviours are modelled by same sex role models and these behaviours are imitated by children, especially if a reward is expected.
- Strength - parents may use the theory to ensure they do not get exposed to negative behaviours. Parents can attempt to ensure their children do not get over exposed to negative role models. Also ensure that only pro social behaviour is modelled at home.
11
Q
Evaluation - Methods
A
- Supporting research comes from scientific lab studies.
- By emphasising the importance of scientific processes and reliance of scientific method of SLT it gives psychology greater credibility and status as a science. Bandura used children in controlled, lab experiments to investigate learning.
- Strength - Lab studies are highly controlled, eliminating extraneous variables. Allows us to say IV had affected the DV.
12
Q
Evaluation - Contradictory Approach
A
- Behaviourist, biological etc
- Ignores majority of other approaches
- Weakness - Decreases validity.
13
Q
Evaluation - Specific
A
- Lab experiments are used to support SLT and are artificial.
- Banduras study is not an everyday situation that a child sees an adult acting in an aggressive way towards an inflatable doll.
Weakness - it is questionable whether we can apply the findings to everyday behaviour, lacks ecological validity.
14
Q
Badura’s Aim
A
- Conducted an experiment with children aged 3-8yrs from USA to demonstrate observational or imitative learning.
15
Q
Bandura’s Procedure
A
- Group A - Children were put in a room one at a time with an adult who behaved in an aggressive way towards a bobo doll.
- The adult hit the doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it.
- Group B - One at a time children were but into a room where an adult behaved in a non aggressive way towards the bobo doll.
- Each child was then put into a playroom which contained toys including a bobo doll and a hammer.
- The researchers recorded the number of aggressive behaviours each child made towards the doll.
