The learning approach: Social learning theory Flashcards
Who proposed the social learning theory as a development of the behaviourist approach?
Albert Bandura proposed social learning theory as a development of the behaviourist approach.
How did Bandura criticise the behaviourist approach?
Bandura criticised the behaviourist approach by arguing that classical and operant conditioning could not account for all human learning. Bandura instead adopted the view that there are important mental processes that mediate between stimulus and response.
What is the social learning theory?
The social learning theory is a way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement. This combines learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.
What did both Bandura and behaviourist psychologists agree on?
Bandura agreed with the behaviourists that much of our behaviour is learned from experience.
According to Bandura’s social learning theory, how do people learn?
The social learning theory proposes that people learn through observation and imitation of others within a social context. SLT suggested that learning occurs directly, through classical and operant conditioning, but also indirectly.
According to the social learning theory, people learn through the imitation of others. What is meant by imitation?
Imitation refers to copying the behaviour of others.
The social learning theory can be broken down into three explanations of how people learn. What are these thee components?
- Vicarious reinforcement
- Mediational processes
- Identification
How can vicarious reinforcement be defined?
Vicarious reinforcement refers to reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour. This is a key factor in imitation.
Is vicarious reinforcement an example of direct or indirect learning?
Vicarious reinforcement is an example of indirect learning.
How do individuals learn through vicarious reinforcement?
For indirect learning to take place an individual observes the behaviour of others. The learner may imitate this behaviour but, in general, imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) rather than punished. The learner therefore observes consequences of a behaviour as well as the behaviour itself.
In what context is imitation likely to occur?
Imitation usually only occurs when the observed behaviour is being rewarded (reinforced).
What are mediational processes?
Mediational processes are cognitive factors (i.e. thinking) that influence learning and come between stimulus and response.
How do mediational processes influence learning?
Social learning theory is often described as a bridge between traditional learning theory and the cognitive approach because it focusses on how cognitive factors are involved in learning. These mental factors mediate (intervene) in the learning process to determine whether a new response is required.
How many mediational processes in learning were identified by Bandura?
Bandura identified four mediational processes (i.e. mental processes).
What were the four mediational processes identified by Bandura?
- Attention
- Retention
- Motor reproduction
- Motivation
‘Attention’ is the first mediational process in learning. What is meant by attention?
Attention refers to the extent to which we notice certain behaviours.
‘Retention’ is the second mediational process in learning. What is meant by retention?
Retention refers to how well the behaviour is remembered.
‘Motor reproduction’ is the third mediational process in learning. What is motor reproduction?
Motor reproduction refers to the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour.
‘Motivation’ is the fourth and final mediational process in learning. What is motivation?
Motivation refers to the will to perform the behaviour. This is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished.
Which two mediational processes relate to the learning of behaviour?
Attention and retention both relate to the learning of behaviour.
Which two mediational processes relate to the performance of behaviour?
Motor reproduction and motivation both relate to the performance of behaviour.
According to the social learning theory, is it necessary for learning and performance of behaviour to occur together?
Unlike traditional behaviourism, the learning and performance of behaviour need not occur together. Observed behaviours may be stored by the observer and reproduced at a later time.
What is identification?
Identification refers to when an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model.
How is identification involved in the learning process?
People, especially children, imitate the behaviour of people with whom they identify (role models). This process is called modelling.
