Social Learning Theory Flashcards
(9 cards)
SLT assumptions
- Behaviour is learned from experience (directly = via classical and operant conditioning)
- BUT ALSO
- People learn via a process of observing and imitating others within a social context (indirectly)
- Mediational processes are essential for learning to take place
What is vicarious reinforcement
= Increased likelihood of behaviour being repeated due to observing someone else being reinforced for it
Role of mediational processes in learning
= cognitive factors that influence learning, coming between stimulus and response;
1. attention (extent to which we notice certain behaviours)
2. retention (how well behaviour is remembered)
3. reproduction (ability to perform observed behaviour)
4. motivation (the will to perform behaviour, determined by consequence for behaviour)
Role of identification in learning
= leads to imitation/modeling
= due to desire to be associated with person/group
- because they posses similar characteristics and/or desirable characteristics to observer
Bandura et al’s research
Bandura et al. (1961)
- 2 groups
A = watched adult behave aggressively towards Bobo Doll
B = watched adult behave non-aggressively towards Bobo Doll
- Both groups placed in room of toys
A = seen to behave much more aggressively towards Bobo and other toys compared to B
= illustrates the concepts of observational learning and imitation
Bandura and Walter Research
Bandura and Walters (1963)
- 3 groups
A = showed video of adult behaving aggressively towards Bobo Doll & praised for it
B = showed video of adult behaving aggressively towards Bobo Doll & punished for it
C = showed video of adult behaving aggressively towards Bobo Doll, no consequence
- Given bobo doll to play with
A, then C = showed most aggression towards it
= illustrates vicarious reinforcement
Pros of SLT
IRL APP
Bandura study display importance of role models, impact of witnessed behaviour, help understand range of behaviours
e.g., gender standards = how gender/social norms transmitted throughout society
= increase value
COGNITIVE FACTORS
Recognise importance of cognitive factors in learning, unlike Behaviourist
Behaviourist = inadequate on own
= more comprehensive theory of human learning due to recognising mediational processes and human pps
Cons of SLT
Lab studies
= demand characteristics
= argued that main purpose of bobo doll is to strike it, hence children in Bandura’s study simply behaved in way they thought was expected
= provides little insight into how children learn aggression IRL
- low eco validity
what is modelling
imitating (copying) behaviour of role model
