4.1.6 - the main features of social learning theory

Question 1

what is a model?

Answer 1

the person displaying the behaviour that is observed - if the observer identifies with the model, the behaviour is more likely to be imitated (so effective models are often the same sex as the observer and can be admired for having status or power)

Question 2

what is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 2

observing a model being reinforced or rewarded for an action, so it is more likely the observer will imitate and repeat it

Question 3

what is vicarious punishment?

Answer 3

observing a model being punished for an action, so it is less likely the observer will imitate and repeat it

Question 4

what is self-efficacy?

Answer 4

a person knowing their own ability to do something and being confident with it - for someone to imitate behaviour, Bandura argued they need a model and self-efficacy

Question 5

what are mediating factors?

Answer 5

factors that make reproducing behaviours more or less likely eg. identifying with the model, vicarious reinforcement

Question 6

what are the principles of how social learning theory works?

Answer 6

humans and animals learn by observing models around them, and imitating that behaviour
due to vicarious reinforcement, an observer is more likely to reproduce a model’s behaviour if the consequences result in reward rather than punishment