Social Learning Theory Flashcards
(24 cards)
assumptions of SLT
- Behaviour is learned from the environment through the process of observational learning which involves modelling, imitation, identification and vicarious reinforcement.
- The consequences of others behaviour is observed and this guides future behaviours (vicarious reinforcement)
- Mediational (cognitive) processes occur between stimuli (the role model’s behaviour) and response (imitation) these include attention, retention (memory) and motivation.
Imitation definition
Copying the behaviour of others
Role model definition
A person who is seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are admired for their achievement and have high status
Modelling definition
The role model demonstrates (models) a specific behaviour that can be imitated by the observer.
The Observer imitates (models) the behaviour of the role model
Mediational processes definition
These are cognitive processes that occur between a stimulus (role model’s behaviour) and a response (imitation). These include Attention, Retention, Motivation and Motor Reproduction
Acronym for mediational processes
A R M M
Attention, Retention, Motivation and Motor Reproduction
Direct reinforcement definition
An individual’s behaviour is they are rewarded directly and therefore more likely to repeat the behaviour.
Vicarious (indirect) reinforcement definition
Reinforcement that occurs through observing someone else being rewarded for their behaviour. If an individual observes a role model being rewarded for a behaviour then they are more likely to be motivated to imitate that behaviour
Mediational processes info
Social Learning theory is often known as the bridge between traditional learning theory and the cognitive approach as it outlines how mental factors are involved in learning. These mental processes mediate (intervene) in the learning process to determine whether a behaviour is imitated.
Attention info
Learning can only take place if a model is attended to. More attention is paid to role models who have status and those that we can identify with e.g individuals of the same Gender.
Retention info
Learning will only take place if the Behaviour we have observed is stored in memory.
Motor reproduction info
This relates to the performance of the behaviour. The observer must be physically able to perform the behaviour for imitation to occur. For example a child may want to imitate the skills of a footballer but lack the necessary ability required to reproduce the behaviour.
Motivational processes info
The consequences of behaviour can be direct or vicarious and would determine the observers will to perform the behaviour Positive reinforcement would encourage behaviour to be repeated. Punishment reduces the likelihood of imitation.
Bobo doll study aim and who did it?
Bandura et al (1961)
Aim: To find out if children would show more aggressive behaviour if exposed to an aggressive role model and less aggressive behaviour if exposed to a non-aggressive role model.
Bobo doll study method
72 Children were split into three groups of 24 (12 boys, 12 girls)
Condition one (Aggressive)
Children observed an adult (role model) attack a five foot inflatable doll. The doll was kicked and punched and the attacker used aggressive statements such as “Punch him on the nose”. Bandura used males and females as role models.
Condition two (Non Aggressive)
Children observed an adult assembling a toy showing no aggression
Condition three (Control)
No adult model was observed
After this first stage each child was taken to a second room filled with toys and a bobo doll. The child was filmed playing with the toys for twenty minutes
Bandura observed the children and recorded imitative aggression, partial imitation and non-imitative aggression.
Bobo doll study results
The children who had observed the aggressive model (condition one) displayed higher levels of aggressive behaviour to the doll than those in either of the other two conditions. Children were more likely to directly imitate same sex role models.
Bobo doll study conclusions
Bandura concluded that behaviour can be learned by observation and imitation. Individuals are more likely to imitate role models that they identify with e.g those of the same gender.
Bandura filmed role models info
In one later variation (Bandura 1963 of the study children observed films instead of live observations of the role models. Bandura found no significant difference between the level of imitation of live role models or filmed role models. Bandura also found that imitation levels were the same for filmed models dressed as fantasy characters and
Bandura rewards and punishment info
In a replication of the original study Bandura aimed to find out if children would be more likely to imitate a role model they see being rewarded (vicarious reinforcement) and less likely to imitate a role model they see being punished (vicarious punishment). He also wanted to see if the children would be more likely to imitate if they themselves were offered rewards. Bandura found that children were much less likely to imitate the role model when they observed the model being punished. Also the children were significantly more likely to imitate the behaviour when they themselves were directly reinforced and offered a reward. This research provides support for the role of vicarious and direct reinforcement in motivating the observer to imitate behaviour thus demonstrating the role of operant conditioning in social and observational learning.
Identification definition
When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model
AO1 SLT
- Imitation – copying the behaviour of others which is shown through Bandura’s research
- Role model – a person who is seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are admired for their achievement and have high status
- Identification – when an observer associated themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model
- Modelling – the role model demonstrates (models) a specific behaviour that can be imitated by the observer. The observer imitates (models) the behaviour of a role model
- Mediational Processes – cognitive processes that occur between a stimulus and a response which includes attention, retention, motivation and motor reproduction
- Vicarious Reinforcement – reinforcement that occurs through observing someone else being rewarded for their behaviour. If an individual observes a role model being rewarded for a behaviour then they are more likely to be motivated to imitate that behaviour
AO3 (1) SLT
- A strength of the Social Learning Theory approach is that it can be applied to real-life situations
- For example, Bandura et al (1961) recorded behaviour of children after they has seen a adult act violently towards a Bobo doll and he later watched the children also act aggressively towards the doll, showing how children imitated this behaviour
- This is a strength because it offers clear evidence that children will observe the behaviours of others, as predicted by SLT, just like real life scenarios
- However, some psychologists may argue that there was an inconsistent finding in the Bobo doll experiments. Boys acted more aggressively than girls regardless of the experimental condition which may be explained by the different levels of testosterone as boys have a higher level (testosterone is linked to aggression). This means that Bandura underestimated biological factors on social learning theory
- Despite this, the initial point is still a significant strength of the approach
- Thus increasing it’s internal validity and credibility as an explanation of behaviour
AO3 (2) SLT
- A strength of social learning theory is that it is able to explain cultural differences.
- Cultural differences are the various beliefs, languages, practices and expressions considered unique to members of a specific ethnicity, race or natural origin. For example, cultures differ in what they could wear or the way they greet each other. The approach describes how we learn form others around us by either imitating their behaviour or identifying with models. For example, a child brought up in France learnt to greet people by noticing other meet with a kiss on both sides of the face. If the child moved to England, he would then realise that the way to greet Is most commonly saying ‘hi’ or shaking their hand and so they would imitate this
- This is a strength as, unlike other approaches, it is able to explain why people in different cultures act in the way they do, increasing it’s applicability
- However, some psychologists may argue that the research it relies upon is on children, thus limiting the trust we have in the application of this approach
- Despite this, it is still an advantage of the approach as it has been useful in understanding a range of behaviours in different cultures, aiding the external validity of the expression
- Thus increasing the validity of the approach
AO3 (3) SLT
- A weakness of this approach is that the theory heavily relies on lab studies to support it
- Bandura et al recorded the behaviour of children who watched an adult act aggressively towards a Bobo doll.
- The use of lab studies within social learning theory, as illustrated, is often criticised as the participants may show demand characteristics as they know they are being watched and therefore may behave in a way to support the hypothesis, which would make the results less valid/invalid, thus invalidating the use of lab studies as research support.
- Some psychologists may argue that the use of lab experiments allows for precise control of extraneous and independent variables. This allows a cause and effect relationship to be established.
- Despite that, this (overall) proves to be a weakness of the Social Learning Theory approach as the participants knew that they were being looked over and so acted to prove the hypothesis
- Thus reducing the trust we have in the results outlined by the approach and the usefulness of the approach
