social learning theory Flashcards
(15 cards)
What does Social Learning Theory (SLT) propose?
People learn by observing and imitating others within a social context, through both direct and indirect reinforcement.
How does SLT combine learning theories?
It bridges traditional learning theory (classical and operant conditioning) with cognitive theories.
What are Bandura’s 4 mediational processes?
Attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation.
What is ‘attention’ in SLT?
Noticing certain behaviours of others.
What is ‘retention’ in SLT?
How well we remember observed behaviour.
What is ‘motor reproduction’ in SLT?
The ability to perform the observed behaviour.
What is ‘motivation’ in SLT?
The will to perform the behaviour, influenced by expected rewards or punishments.
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Learning through observing someone else being rewarded or punished.
What is identification and modelling in SLT?
Imitating behaviours of people we identify with, such as role models.
What was the procedure of Bandura’s Bobo Doll study?
Children watched video of adults behaving aggressively toward a Bobo doll. three groups:
- Group 1 saw the adult rewarded for aggressive behaviour
- Group 2 saw the adult punished
- Group 3 saw the aggression with no consequence
What were the findings of Bandura’s Bobo Doll study?
- When given their own Bobo doll, children in Group 1 (rewarded adult) showed the highest levels of aggressive behaviour, followed by Group 3 (no consequence), with Group 2 (punished adult) showing the least
What does the Bobo Doll study demonstrate about learning?
vicarious reinforcement—children imitate behaviour based on observed consequences, showing how learning occurs indirectly through observation.
What are two major criticisms of the Bobo Doll study related to its validity?
Internal validity: Bobo doll is designed to be hit, so the study may not purely measure effect of aggressive role models.
Mundane realism: artificial setting/the doll may not represent how children behave aggressively toward people or objects in real life.
What biological criticism is made against Bandura’s Bobo Doll study?
ignores biological differences between boys + girls - boys showed more imitative aggression, which may be due to higher levels of testosterone linked to aggressive behaviour.
How does the biological criticism challenge SLT’s explanation of aggression?
suggests SLT overlooks innate biological factors like hormones, meaning it might not fully explain why aggression varies between individuals, especially between genders.
