Social Learning Theory Flashcards
(32 cards)
What are the assumptions of social learning theory?
- Social Learning Theory is an extension of the behaviourist approach, but there is an interaction between the environment, behaviour and cognitive processes.
- Behaviour can be learned from observing and imitating role models.
- Four mediational processes are involved in learning (attention, retention, reproduction and motivation), which are mental processes that occur between the role model displaying a behaviour and the behaviour being imitated by the observer.
Where does Social Learning Theory suggest learning takes place?
Social Learning Theory suggests learning takes places in a social context.
What are the several key features of Social Learning Theory?
Identification
Modelling
Imitation
Vicarious Reinforcement
Mediational Processes
What is identification?
Identification is when an individual is influenced by another because they are in some way similar to them, they want to be like them, or they want to associate themselves with a person or group.
Who is the model in identification?
‘The model’ is the person with whom they identify.
What factors may influence the choice of the model?
Factors that influence the choice of model include:
- having the same gender and ethnicity
- higher status
- celebrity status
- physical attractiveness and
- greater expertise.
What does identification result in?
Identification results in a more general adaptation of behaviours from the model rather than imitation of one or two specific behaviours.
What is modelling?
Learning that occurs whilst observing a role model. An individual learns a particular behaviour by observing another individual performing that behaviour.
What is imitation?
The action of using someone/something as a role model and copying their behaviour. It describes how an individual observes the behaviour of a role model and duplicates exactly the behaviour displayed.
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Learning occurs via observation of the behaviour of a role model and viewing the rewards or punishments they receive for their behaviour. An observer doesn’t receive reinforcement directly; they see someone else receiving it.
If the model is being reinforced for their behaviour, what happens to the observer’s actions?
If the model is observed being reinforced for their behaviour, such as obtaining a reward; it increases the likelihood that a behaviour is imitated by the observer;
If the model is being punished for their behaviour, what happens to the observer’s actions?
If the model is observed being punished, it decreases the likelihood that a behaviour is imitated.
What are mediational processes?
Despite a behaviour of a role model being observed; it is not
automatically imitated. There is some thought that takes place prior to imitation – this consideration involves mediational processes which occur between observing the behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response).
Name the 4 mediational processes
(ARRM)
Attention
Retention
Reproduction
Motivation
What is attention?
For a behaviour to be imitated it must capture our interest so we notice it. We observe many behaviours on a daily basis and many of these are not noteworthy. Attention is therefore pivotal for a behaviour to be processed.
What is retention?
A behaviour must be memorable otherwise it will be forgotten. As much of social learning is not immediate, it is important that we form a memory of a behaviour for it to be performed later by the observer.
How can retention be strengthened?
Retention of a behaviour can be strengthened through repeated observation or if it triggers strong emotions.
What is reproduction?
We observe many behaviours and make a mental assessment of whether we have the ability to imitate this.
E.g. a 90-year-old lady (who struggles to walk) watching Dancing on Ice may desire to ice skate but she will not attempt to imitate the behaviour
because she knows she is not physically capable.
What is motivation?
The rewards and punishments that follow a behaviour will be considered by the observer. If the perceived rewards outweigh any costs then the behaviour will be more likely to be imitated by the observer. If the reward is not seen to be important enough to
the observer is less likely they will imitate the behaviour.
What are motivation and reproduction concerned with?
Reproduction and motivation are concerned with the performance of behaviour.
Who conducted research which involved looking at whether identification with the model affected the likelihood of the behaviour being imitated by an observer?
Bandura
What were the aims of Bandura’s study?
To investigate whether children imitate role models even when they are no longer present.
To investigate whether children are more likely to imitate the aggressive behaviour of the same sex models or opposite-sex models.
Outline the procedure of Bandura’s study.
- 72 children, aged between three and six years old observed an adult model behaving either aggressively or non-aggressively toward an inflatable doll (Bobo doll).
- Children divided into groups, initially by whether they would watch an aggressive or non-aggressive model, then further divided based on their gender, and whether they would watch a same sex or opposite sex model.
- The model was in a room with the Bobo doll, a hammer and various toys. One by one the
participants watched the model’s behaviour for ten minutes from the opposite corner of
the room. - The model, besides physically punching and kicking the doll, would also shout abuse, such as ‘Punch him on the nose’ and ‘Pow’.
- The participants had a delay before finally being allowed to go into a room with toys including a Bobo doll, toy guns, and farm sets, i.e. both aggressive and non-aggressive toys. Researchers observed the children for twenty minutes.
How was the study measured?
- Their behaviour was rated on a scale
for aggression by multiple observers and inter-rater reliability was found.
