Latent Learning and SLT

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Regulates hormone secretion to maintain homeostasis

Define latent learning

learning that is not immediately applied and is retained for later use

When is latent learning apparent?

When sufficient motivation or incentive present

Describe the experiment by Tolman and Honzik (1930)

Food-deprived rats in maze; examined role of reinforcement in learning

Fixed start point, blind alleyways, 14 choice points, goal box

3 groups; 1 = food always in goal box, 2= food never in goal box, 3 = no food in goal box until trial 11+

What were the results of Tolman and Honzik (1930)?

Group 1: slowly learned to locate box; fewer and fewer mistakes

Group 2: modest reduction in errors

Group 3: Immediate improvement in performance when food introduced

Rats had been building cognitive map of maze and used it when sufficiently incentivised; evidence of latent learning

What did Skinner and Pavlov suggest was necessary for learning?

Reinforcement at the time of behaviour; learning was stimulus-response association

What is latent learning linked to?

Social learning theory (SLT)

Give 3 benefits of social groups

Range of genetic variation; removes need for trial and error learning; shared predator protection; pleasure; easier to find mate; efficient food sourcing/group hunting; population control

Define ‘imitation’

Behaviour is reproduced exactly ie bird calls

Define ‘emulation’

Adaptation of a behaviour to achieve the same result

Define ‘diffusion’

Spread of innovative behaviours through social groups, ie tool use

Define ‘social facilitation’

Having social backup; ‘the mere presence of a demonstrator affects observer’s behaviour, ie nervous dog watches other dog getting groomed

What is social learning?

Learning via observation/vicarious learning; conspecifics directly influence acquisition of new skills/behaviours

What are the three basic principles of SLT?

Acknowledges importance of classical/operant conditioning

Adds a third process; observational/vicarious learning

Proposes that an individual’s behaviour is shaped by learning how to react/etc based on individual experience within their social environment

What are the five key processes of SLT?

Observation

Vicarious reinforcement

Retention

Motivation

Imitation

What was Albert Bandura famous for?

The ‘bobo doll’ experiment (1977)

Why is social learning beneficial?

Removes risk and the need for trial and error; conserves energy

Describe Bandura’s bobo doll experiment

Used children to see if SLT could explain aggression

One group saw model rewarded for aggression, one saw model punished; control group saw model was aggressive with no reinforcement

Children who saw punishment did not mimic aggressive behaviour until motivated; evidence of latent learning