A-level Psychology key content part 3 - the learning approach

what are the 4 mediational processes 

attention, retention, production, motivation 

what does attention mean 

model has to be observed and attended to for the behaviour to be imitated 

what does retention mean 

behaviour is remembered and placed in long term memory to be retrieved in the future 

what does production mean 

the observer has to be able to replicate the behaviour e.g. copy behaviour 

what does motivation mean 

observed must want to imitate the behaviour 

what does identification mean 

a connection between a child and a role model often based on a perceived similarity 

what does vicarious reinforcement mean 

learning through observing the consequences of the role models behaviour in terms of reward and punishment 

what are mediational processes 

bridge between traditional learning theory which intervene in the learning process to determine whether a new response is needed 

what were the strengths of banduras research 

controlled lab environment , high in validity , reliable, same number of boys and girls in each group 

what were the weaknesses of banduras research 

potential to carry out behaviour outside of experiment ,model was female so females identify better with her, Ev’s

what are the practical applications of banduras research 

people learn from other influences around them e.g. a child is more likely to engage in criminal activity if parent does 

how can we minimise chances of an individual mimicking role models 

ensure their company is good people 

what are the treatment implications of social learning theory 

treatment of phobias, encourages different reactions to feared object/situation via observing model 

what are the ecological validity implications of social learning theory 

genuine aggression would be directed to another human being and not a bobo doll, so unlikely able to apply to real life situations 

how do demand characteristics play a role in the social learning theory 

children may have believed the behaviour was acceptable as usually that behaviour is punished so may carry it out 

why would the social learning theory experiment be considered oversimplistic 

ignores any other explanations for the children behaviour such as testosterone in boys being higher than in girls 

which chromosomes do some boys have that make them more aggressive 

xyy 

what’s is the first assumption of the biological approach

behaviour is due to a physical cause

what’s the second assumption of the biological approach

can be due to genetics, neuroanatomy ,and nervous system

what’s the third assumption of the biological approach

neuroanatomy - can be studied using brain imaging techniques, genetics can be studied using DNA

what’s the fourth assumption of the biological approach

abnormal behaviours can be treated using biological methods e.g. drugs and RCT which is used less frequent

what does neuroanatomy mean

the study of chemical processes which take part in the nervous system

what is the focus of neuroanatomy

neurotransmitters e.g. serotonin and dopamine which can be linked to certain behaviours

1st step of neurotransmitters

when a nerve impulse reaches the end of a neurone a neurotransmitter is released

2nd step of neurotransmitters

neurotransmitter travels across a synapse

what are the 2 types of neurotransmitters

excitatory and inhibitory

what do excitatory neurotransmitters do

trigger the receiving neurone to send an impulse and stimulate brain activity

what do inhibitory neurotransmitters do

prevent nerve impulses, calming the brain and balancing mood

what type of neurotransmitter is dopamine

excitatory and linked to pleasure and motivation

what type of neurotransmitter is serotonin

inhibitory and calms brain and balances mood