Social Learning theory

Question 1

what does the theory believe?

Answer 1

• gender is learnt from observing and imitating the behaviour of others
• includes modelling, imitation, vicarious reinforcement, identification

Question 2

term

modelling?

Answer 2

mirroring your behaviour on a role model who provides an example eg clean because of mum

Question 3

term

imitation

Answer 3

copying the behaviour of a role model

eg princess films

Question 4

term

vicarious reinforcement

Answer 4

learning from the model being either rewarded or punished

boy bullied for dolls

Question 5

term

identification

Answer 5

associating with a role model (consciously)

Question 6

mediational processes?

Answer 6

1. attention
2. retention
3. production
4. motivation or reinforcement

Question 7

attention process?

Answer 7

• person observing must pay attention to behaviour to be imitated

eg boy watch football learn that boys like football

Question 8

retention process?

Answer 8

encode and remember the behaviour in LTM which would enable the behaviour to be retrieved

eg young (under 5yrs) wouldnt remember LTM, watch violent film= wont become apart of LTM

Question 9

production process

Answer 9

person observing behaviour must have physical capabilties to reproduce behaviour

eg boy observe film with gun but cant buy a gun

Question 10

motivation or reinforcement process

Answer 10

must be a reason for imitating behaviour

eg there must be a reward for child- dopamine release/physical reward

Question 11

evaluation points

Answer 11

• research support
• explains cultural changes
• Kolhberg criticises

Question 12

what research support is there?

Answer 12

Seavey for key principles
- told 1/3 p’s 3 month old baby dressed in yellow was either girl boy or not revealed gender, left to play with doll, ball, plastic ring
- parents reinforced gendered behaviour with toys even if subtle. boys=ball, girls=doll, neutral=ring

counter- differential reinforcement may not be cause, adults may be responding to innate gender differents that already are there. therefore partial explanation

Question 13

how does it explain cultural differences?

Answer 13

• in stereotypical gender appropriate behaviour
• theres now less clear cut distinction between what regarded as sterotypically masculine and feminine behaviours
• shift in social explanations and cultural norms means new fors of gender behaviour unlikely be punished

Question 14

how does Kholberg criticse?

Answer 14

• SLT fails to explain how learning processes change with age
• genderal consesus- modelling gender appropriate behaviour occurs at any age
• seems illogical that children 2 years learn same as children 9years
• Kholberg- develops in stages
• influence of age and maturity not considered
• SLT = passive