Social learning theory including imitation, identification, modelling, vicarious reinforcement, the role of mediational processes and Bandura’s research Flashcards
(46 cards)
Define social learning theory
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.
What did Albert Bandura agree with the behaviourist on?
He agreed that behaviour is learned from experience.
How did Albert produce a differenmgt wyay of thinking in comparison to the Behaviourist theory?
His social learning theory proposed a different way in which people learn, which was through observations and imitation of others.
What did social Learning theory about learning?
Learning occurs directly through Classical and Operant conditioning.
Define imitation
Copying the behaviour of others
Define identification
When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model.
Define Vicarious reinforcement
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour.
What is needed for indirect learning to take place?
(Also known as vicarious Reinforcement). the individual observed the behaviour of others, imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) rather than punished.
What does the learner observe during vicarious reinforcement?
the learner observes a behaviour but also observes the consequences of behaviour.
Why is SLT often described as the ‘bridge’ between behaviourist learning theory and the cognitive approach?
Because it focuses on how mental (cognitive) factors are involved in learning.
How do mental (cognitive) factors involve in learning?
These mental factors mediate (intervene) in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired.
What are the four mental or mediational processes in learning defined by Bandura?
- Attention
- Retention
- Motor reproduction
- Motivation
What is attention?
The extent to which we notice certain behaviours
What is retention?
How well the behaviour is remembered
What is motor reproduction?
The ability of the observer to perform the behaviour.
What is motivation?
The will to perform the behaviour, which is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished.
What do attention and retention relate to?
They relate to the learning of behaviour.
What do motor reproduction and motivation relate to?
They relate to the performance of behaviour.
What is a difference between SLT and the Behaviourist approach in terms of when the behaviour occurs?
Unlike traditional behaviourism, the learning and performance of behaviour do not need to occur together. Observed behaviours may be stored by the observer and reproduced at a later time.
What is identification?
When an observer associates themselves with a role-model and wants to be like the role model.
What are children more likely to do in terms of identification?
People, especially children, are more likely to imitate people they identify with, a process called identification.
What is the person they identify with called?
They are called a role mode, and the process of imitating a role model is called modelling.
What is modelling from the observer’s perspective?
From the observer’s perspective, modelling is imitating the behaviour of a role model.
What is modelling from the role model’s perspective?
Modelling is the precise demonstration of a specific behaviour that may be imitated by an observer.
