Social learning theory Flashcards
Assumptions of social learning theory.
-We learn from the environment through the processes of modelling and reinforcement.
What are the four mental processes involved in learning?
Attention
Retention
Motor reproduction
Retention
What is attention?
The extent to which we notice certain behaviours.
What is retention?
How well the behaviour is remembered.
What is motor reproduction?
The ability of the observer to perform the behaviour.
What is motivation?
The will to perform the behaviour.
What is identification?
People (especially children) are more likely to imitate people they identify with and see as a role model.
A person becomes a role model if they are seen to possesses similar characteristics to the observer, are attractive, and have a higher status.
Outline Bandura’s original bobo doll study.
Bandrua recorded the bavhoir of young children (aged 3-5) who observed an adult acting aggressively towards a bobo doll.
-The children were shown an adult behaving in a harmful way towards the doll. The adult hit the doll with a hammer and showed abuse to it.
-When the children were observed later, they behaved much more aggressively towards the doll and other toys.
Outline Bandura’s second study.
Children were shown an adult behaving on a video towards a Bobo doll.
1 group -> Showed adult being praised.
2 group -> Saw adult being punished.
3 group -> Showed no consequence.
The first group showed more aggression, then the third group and then the second.
Strength of social learning theory (recognises the importance of cognitive factors).
One strength of the social learning theory is that it recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning. Neither classical nor operant conditioning offer an adequate account of learning on their own. Humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements about when it is appropriate to perform behaviour. This suggests the social learning theory provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning.
Strength of social learning theory (real world application).
Another strength of the social learning theory is that it has real world application. The social learning theory explains cultural differences in behaviour as it can account for how children learn from those around them through modelling,imitation reinforcement etc.
Limitation of social learning theory.
A limitation of the social learning theory is that the evidence used to test it has mainly been lab studies. Lab studies are often criticised for their nature as people may conform to demand characterises therefore these studies could lack ecological validity. It has been suggested also that because the main purpose of a Bobo doll is to strike it,the children may have been performing behaviour because they knew this.
This suggests the research may tell is little about how the children actually learn.
