Social learning theory (SLT)

What is social learning theory?

Learning through observation of models

What are the 4 key aspects of Social learning theory?

Attention, retention, potential, motivation

Explain the 4 cognitive factors in social learning theory

Attention: Learner must pay attention to model to learn behaviour.

Retention: Observer must pay attention to model to learn behaviour

Potential: Physical and mental ability to reproduce observer behaviour

Motivation: Learner must want to replicate behaviour observed

List of the 4 factors that influence the imitation of the model

Consistency, Identification with model, Liking of model:, Behaviour is rewarded

What are the 4 factors that influence the imitation of the model?

Consistency (of behaviour) → Model behaves same way repeatedly

• Credibility & predictability

Identification with model (Imitate models like us → same age, same gender, etc)

• Similarity means behaviour can apply to our daily lives

liking of model (Admire model & physically attracted to model)

• More likely to imitate model with value

rewarded behaviour (vicarious reinforcement)

• If we see model rewarded → more likely to copy it

What is self efficacy (ties into potential)

Belief in ability to complete a task

What are outcome Expectancies (Related to motivation)

Belief of what will happen after behaviour is performed

What factors effect Attention of the learner?

Attractiveness, authority, desirability (I want to be like them)

Describe the study of Bobo’s doll (Bandura et al. —> SLT)

Aim: whether children learn aggressive behaviour through observation

Procedure: Children observe adult model behaving: Aggressive (hitting bobo doll) or non-aggressive —> Children were than placed in room with bobo doll after

Conclusion: Children imitated aggressive behaviour observed

Boys more likely imitated male model physical aggression

Girls more likely imitated female model verbal aggression

Apply SLT to the bobo doll study (Bandura et al)

Attention: Children paid attention to adult model (authority figure)

Retention: Children remembered aggressive actions (verbal & physical → behaviour was clear & simple)

Potential: Children reproduced simple aggressive behaviour (Boys more likely imitated male model physical aggression & girls more likely imitated female model verbal aggression)

Motivation: Children were shown attractive toys and told they could not be played with (frustration)

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Bandura et al?

+ High internal validity → controlled laboratory experiment, reducing confounding variables → Increases confidence that IV truly effected DV

+ High reliability → standardised procedure → easily replicated by other researchers

— Low ecological validity → Playing with bobo doll does not reflect real life conditions for aggression

— Ethical concerns → children exposed to aggressive role may cause psychological harm

— Reductionist → explains aggression mainly through observation and imitation

• E.g: ignores hormones & neurotransmitters (biological)
  

— Temporal validity (Conducted in 1960) —> attitudes towards aggression and child-rearing may have changed → less applicable today