The social learning theory Flashcards
(10 cards)
What are the assumptions of the social learning theory?
Albert Bandura agreed with the behaviourists that our behaviour is learned from experience. However, the SLT proposed a different way in which people learn; through observation and imitation of others within a social context. Learning occurs directly but also indirectly.
Who is the main researcher?
Albert Bandura.
Define and explain vicarious reinforcement.
Vicarious reinforcement is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour.
For indirect learning to take place an individual observes the behaviour of others. The learner may imitate this behaviour but, imitation only occurs if the behaviour is rewarded rather than punished. The learner observes a behaviour but most importantly observes the consequences of a behaviour.
Define and explain the mediational process.
Mediational process is when cognitive factors influence our learning and come between stimulus and response.
The mental factors mediate (intervene) in the learning process to determine whether a new response in acquired. There are 4 main stages:
1) Attention- the extent to which we notice certain behaviours.
2) Retention- how well the behaviour is remembered.
3) Motor reproduction- the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour.
4) Motivation- the will to perform the behaviour, often determined whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished.
The first two is to do with the learning of the behaviour and the second two is to do with the performance of the behaviour.
Define and explain identification.
Identification is when an observer associated themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model.
A person becomes a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are attractive and have high status. Role models do not necessarily need to be present in the environment, and this is important implications for the influence of the media on behaviour.
Define modelling.
Modelling is imitating the behaviour of a role model.
Define imitation.
Copying the behaviour of others.
Explain Albert Banduras study.
Bandura recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll. When the children were later observed playing with various dolls, including the Bobo doll, they behaved more aggressively towards the doll. But, those who did not observe the aggressive adults did not behave aggressively towards the doll. Also, results showed that the boys showed more aggressive behaviour than the girls.
Explain the strengths of the social learning theory.
1) The behaviourist approach does no offer an adequate account of learning in their own. Humans and animals store information about the behaviours of others and use this to make judgement. This is recognised through the mediational process.
2) The SLT has an advantage of being able to explain cultural differences in behaviour. It takes into account of how people learn from other individuals around them, as well as through the media, and this can explain cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies.
3) Bandura emphasised that we are not merely influenced by our external environments, but we also exert an influence upon it, through behaviours we choose to perform. This element of choice suggests that there is some free will in the way we behave.
Explain the weaknesses of the social learning theory.
1) Many of Bandura’s ideas were developed through observation of young children’s behaviour is a lab setting. This means that is lacks realism as that the setting is not natural and children may have behaved like that because they believed they were expected to behave like that.
2) Also, Bandura’s experiment with the Bobo doll was criticised because the Bobo doll is suppose to be hit. Therefore, it may not have only been down to the fact that the children were exposed to an aggressive adult.
3) The SLT also makes little references to the impact of biological factors on our learning. In the experiment, the boys were often more aggressive than the girls but this could be explained by hormonal factors such as differences in the level of testosterone.
