Social Learning Theory

Outline SLT

A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors

What are the assumptions of SLT

• We learn through experience (imitation and observation)

• Suggests learning occurs directly through CC and OC but also indirectly

Outline Vicarious reinforcement

Reinforcement that's not directly experienced but occurs by observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour

Outline mediational processes

Cognitive factors that influence the learning curve between stimulus and response

Define identification

When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be similar to them

Define Modelling from an observer's and role model's perspective

Observer's perspective - Imitating the behaviour of a role model

Role model's perspective - The precise demonstration of a specific behaviour that may be imitated by an observer

Who conducted the Bobo doll study

Bandura

What are the 4 meditational processes of SLT

(ARMM)

• Attention - the extent at which we notice behaviours

• Retention - how well the behaviour is remembered

• Motor reproduction - the ability to perform the observed behaviour

• Motivation - Willingness to perform the behaviour, often determined as to wether the behaviour was rewarded or punished

Who was SLT proposed by

Bandura

What are the strengths of SLT

• SLT provides a more rounded explanation of behaviours which are learned via environmental stimuli than that offered by behaviourism

  • approach is more holistic than behaviourist

• SLT research tends to use standardised procedures within controlled lab conditions which can be replicated to check for reliability

What are the weaknesses of SLT

• what doesn't it account for

• what does it lack

• what might participants do as a result

• SLT does not account for innate and biological factors such as the influence of genes, hormones, brain structures on behaviour which limits its scope

• Using lab-based research to investigate behaviour learned in social contexts lacks ecological validity as it uses artificial tasks in unnatural settings

  • participants may respond to demand characteristics

According to Social learning theory what makes us more likely to imitate a model?

• If the model receives vicarious reinforcement

• If we identify with the model

What is one potential problem with mediational processes?

Can’t be directly observed

How was Bandura's 1961 study carried out

• Bandura (et al) recorded the behaviour of children who watched an adult behave aggressively to a bobo doll

• the adult would hit the doll and shout abuse at it

What were the results of Bandura's 1961 study

• When the children were later observed playing with other toys, including a bobo doll, they behaved much more aggressively towards the doll than children who observed a non-aggressive adult

What were the results of Bandura and Watsons' 1963 study

• what aspect of SLT does this illustrate

• the first group showed more aggression when given their own bobo doll

• this was then followed by the third group

• the second group showed the least aggression

This illustrates Vicarious Reinforcement

Why might Bandura's research lack internal validity

• think about the matched pairs design

He couldn't match every participant variable

Define Reciprocal determinism

There is some free will in the way we behave, but we are influenced by the way we perform behaviours in response to our external environment