Social learning theory Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the social learning theory?
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combing learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
What did Bandura acknowledge?
Aggression can be learned directly, though mechanisms of operant conditioning involving positive and negative reinforcement and punishment
Example of Banduras acknowledgement
Child who angrily snatches a toy off another child will learn that aggressive behaviour is rewarding
Direct reinforcement - makes more likely that child will behave aggressively again in similar situation
What does Bandura also say about indirect mechanisms?
Aggressive behaviour cannot often be explained by such direct forms of learning
Indirect mechanism - observational learning - accounts for social learning of most behaviours
What is observational learning?
Children acquire specific aggressive behaviours theory observing aggressive models
Child learned about aggressive behaviour in this way - does not mean that they will behaviour aggressively themselves
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Observe consequences of models behaviour
If aggressive behaviour is rewarded - child learn that aggression can be effective in way of getting what they want
More likely that observing child will imitate models aggressive behaviour
(vicarious punishment is opposite)
What are Banduras cognitive conditions of learning?
Attention
Retention
Reproduction
Motivation
What is self-efficacy?
Extent to which we believe our actions will achieve a desired goal
What is self efficacy in context of aggression?
Childs confidence in their ability to be aggressive grows as they learn the aggression can bring rewards
Eg. Child who regularly hits children to get hold of a toy
Learns they have motor skills necessary to force another child to hand over toy
Ability comes easily to them
Childs sense of self efficacy develops with each successful outcome
Confident that because their aggression has been effective in the past, will continue to be so in the future
They learn that aggression works and they are good at it
What was Banduras procedure?
Young children
Individually observed an adult model assaulting an inflatable plastic toy - bobo doll
Aggressive behaviours included throwing, kicking and hitting with a mallet
Followed short period - children ere not allowed to play with some attractive toys which created frustration
Then taken to another room where there was a bobo doll plus some other toys including the ones the adult model had used
What were Banduras findings?
Without being instructed to do so
Children imitated behaviour they had seen performed by model - physically and verbally
Closeness of imitation was remarkable - virtually a direct copt of what the children had observed - including use of specific objects and verbal phrases
Boys imitated physical aggression more than girls but not difference in imitating verbal aggression
Boys - more likely to imitate a same sex model
Another group - observed an adult interacting non aggressively with the doll
Aggressive behaviour toward bobo doll by these children was almost non existent
What is a strength of the social learning theory?
Research support
Poulin and Boivin
Aggressive boys aged 9-12
Formed friendships with other aggressive boys
Friendships mutually reinforced each boys aggressive behaviour through modelling
EG. boys would observe each other successfully using proactive aggression which provided reinforcement
They were expose frequently to models of physical aggression and its positive consequences
Boys also gained reinforcement from rewarding approval of the rest of the gang
Social learning process made imitation of aggressive behaviour by the boys much more likely as predicted by SLT
What is a counterpoint to the research support?
Study did not find similarity between friends for reactive aggression
Reactive aggression is angry retaliation in heat of moment
Researchers found the boys were less likely to influence each others reactive aggressive outburst
Observed them but generally did not imitate them
Perhaps because the consequences of reactive aggression are unpredictable and not often as positive as they are planned, proactive aggression (so less reinforcing)
SLT is limited because it is a relatively weak explanation of reactive aggression
What is a strength of the social learning theory?
Real world application
Can help reduce aggression
Children relatively imitate models when they observe them being rewarded for any behaviour and especially when they identify with them
Applies to modelling aggressive behaviour
One way to reduce aggression in to provide rewarded non aggressive models
Same learning process can lead to aggressive behaviour can can produce non aggression
Eg. encouraging children to form friendships with children rewarded for non aggression gives them more opportunities to model non aggressive behaviour
SLT offers practical steps to reduce development of aggressive behaviour in children
What is a limitation of the social learning theory?
Underestimates influence of biological factors
Bandura recognised role of biology - accepted there is an urge to aggressive that is instinctive to nature
He was equally clear the form aggression takes primarily learned and is outcome of nurture
Well established that there are powerful genetic, evolutionary, neural and hormonal influences of aggression
Underplays role of biological factors
