Social Learning Theory Flashcards
(9 cards)
What is social learning theory(SLT)?
-Direct and indirect reinforcement; combining learning theory with the cognitive approach
What is vicarious reinforcement?
-Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour
What are mediational processes and who identified them?
-Bandura
-mental processes when learning a new behaviour:
1.Attention: extent to which we notice behaviours
2.Retention: How well behaviour is remembered
3.Motor reproduction: ability of observer to perform the behaviour
4.Motivation: the will of the person to perform the behaviour
When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model.
-usually present in children as they identify with the adult
What is modelling in SLT?
-observer’s perspective: modelling is imitating the behaviour of a role model.
-role model’s perspective: is the precise demonstration of a behaviour that could be imitated by the observer.
What was Bandura’s procedure for research in SLT?
-experiment involving children who observed aggressive or non-aggressive adult models
- then tested for imitative learning in the absence of the model.
-Half the children were exposed to adult models interacting aggressively with a life sized bobo doll and half exposed to non-aggressive model.
-The aggressive model displayed distinctive psychically aggressive acts towards the doll, e.g striking it with a mallet
What did Bandura find in his SLT study?
-Children behaved more aggressively that watched the more aggressive model
What are the strengths of SLT?
-cognitive factors: Neither operant nor classical conditioning can give a good enough explanation. Humans and animals both store information about certain behaviour and when to act - combining mental processses with behaviorists. Therefore more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising role of mediational processes.
-However, ignores biological factor but bandura claimed natural biological differences influenced our learning potential- Bandura’s research may talk about mirror neurons that help us to imitate. Therefore biological influences were under-emphasised.
-Real world application: they can explain how children learn from each other and including the media and how cultural norms are transmitted through societies. This is seen when children learn their gender roles through observing how their parents act. Increases the value of SLT as can explain real-world stuff.
What are the weaknesses of SLT?
-Contrived lab experiments: observations of children in labs which may make them prone to demand characteristics.Furthermore, purpose of the bobo doll was to hit it so children just simply behaving in what is expected. Therefore, bobo doll research may tell us little about how children actually learn behaviour.
