Social learning theory

assumptions of social learning theory

• people learn through observation and imitation of others- vicarious reinforcement, modelling, mediation al processes processes

• If we observe positive outcomes of in observed behaviour, were more likely to imitate that behaviour

What is vicarious reinforcement

Learning through observation of consequences behaviour of others- only imitated if it’s rewarded

What is the social learning theory

way of explaining behaviour that includes direct and indirect reinforcement

What is modelling

• direct imitation of behaviour of a role model

• from role models perspective- modelling is demonstrating behaviour precisely for other to imitate the behaviour

Describe the 4 mediational processes

• Attention- extent to which behaviour was noticed

• Retention- how well behaviour is remembered

• motor production- ability of observer to perform behaviour

• Motivation- will to perform behaviour which is determined if behaviour was rewarded or punished

what are the mental processes

cognitive factors that influence learning and producing new behaviours

what is identification

• People are more likely to imitate someone who they identify with

• Who they identify with is the role model

• Person becomes a role model if they posses similar characteristics to observer or a high status

What was banduras belief on learning

• Agreed human learning revolves around out experience (direct learning)

• Argued people observe role models and consequences of their actions (indirect learning)

What was Banduras bobo doll experiment

• Children observed adults in aggressive or non aggressive behaviour to bobo doll and then their behaviour was measured

• Aggressive condition- children watches adult play aggressive to bobo doll

• Non aggressive condition- children watched adult play with toys but not bobo doll- no aggression

• Children then in a room by themselves to see how they would act

Results of Banduras bobo doll experiment

• Boys more physically aggressive than girls

• Children in aggressive model condition were more aggressive than those in non aggressive condition

Criticism of Social Learning Theory- Lab studies

Evidence on what it was based on was using lab studies

• Banduras ideas developed through observation of children in lab

• Lab studies criticised for nature of demand characteristics

• Main purpose of bobo doll was to hit it, so children hit it as they thought that was expected

• Suggests research tells us little about how children actually learn aggression

Strength of Social Learning Theory- Real world application

• SLT can help explain cultural differences in behaviour

• STL principles like imitation can account how children learn from others, including the media. Helps explain how cultural norm are spread through society

• Proved useful in understanding behaviours like children understanding their gender role

• Increases value of approach- accounts for real world behaviour

Strength of Social Learning Theory- Cognitive factors

It recognises importance of cognitive factors in learning- C&O conditioning was too brief

• Humans and animals store info about behaviour of others and use it to make judgment for when it’s appropriate to do certain actions

• Learning would be dangerous if we only relied on effects of our own actions to know when it’s wrong

• Suggests SLT gives a more detailed explanation of learning by recognising role of mediational processes

Counterpoint of strength of cognitive factors in SLT- Biological Influences

• Criticised for making little reference to influence of biological factors on learning

• Banduras thought learning was determined by the environment

• Research shows observational learning is result of mirror neurons in brain allowing us to imitate others. Also boys were more aggressive than girls- could be due to higher testosterone

• Suggests biological influences on SLT were underemphasised