Social Psychological explanations - Social learning theory Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is SLT ?
SLT - argue we learn from experience
Through direct reinforcement and punishment.
We learn behaviour responses through observational learning and the imitation of role models.
When is aggressive behaviour more likely to be imitated by the observer?
Vicarious reinforcement - If see model being rewarded for their aggression.
(Bobo doll - kids imitated behaviour when observed adult being rewarded less likely when punished).
Vicarious punishment - If see model being punished for aggression less likely to imitate.
What is identification ?
Some role models are more likely to be imitated than others. (Gender - age - status).
What is self-efficacy ?
Observers confidence in ability to perform the behaviour.
More confident to continue aggressive behaviour if it has been successful in the past.
What are mediating factors?
Behaviour will only be replicated if all these factors are overcome. These happen between the observation and imitation.
Attention - Paying attention to behaviour
Retention - Remembering the behaviour
Reproduction - Ability to reproduce the behaviour
Motivation - Desire/will to perform the behaviour usually based on if behaviour observed is being punished or rewarded.
What does SLT say about aggressive behaviours?
They are internal processes.
The observer can internalise the observed behaviour without imitating the aggression immediately.
Evaluation
Bandura - Bobo doll study
(Positive)
Demonstrated when children shown adult models being aggressive towards the doll that the children imitated it.
Children not shown the aggression did not show aggression.
When did the children most commonly imitate the behaviour.
What does it suggest ?
When they identified with the model
(when the adult was the same gender as them).
Children do learn aggressive behaviour through social learning principles.
Supports the concept of identification being a factor into when children will be more likely to imitate a behaviour.
What does Bandura’s second conditions support for SLT?
Vicarious reinforcement and vicarious punishment.
If children observed adult being rewarded for behaviour more likely to imitate.
If children observed adult being punished for behaviour less likely to imitate.
What did Williams find about the media’s influence of aggressive behaviour through social learning processes ?
Williams observed children’s play.
He observed their aggression before and after tv was introduced to them.
Both physical/verbal aggression increased. (supports idea for symbolic models)
