Social learning theory

describe social learning theory

way of explaining behaviour that included both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with cognitive factors

explain Bandura’s 2 theories

-agreed with behaviourists that behaviour is learnt from experience

-his social learning theory proposed learning through observation and imitation of others

(directly through classical and operant conditional but also indirectly)

describe vicarious reinforcement

reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour- learner observes behaviour and behaviour consequence

4 different mediation processes

-attention

-retention

-motor reproduction

-motivation

role of mediation processes

-focuses how mental/cognitive factors are involved in learning

-these mental factors intervene in the learning process to determine whether a new response is acquired

describe attention

the extent to which we notice certain behaviours

describe retention

how well the behaviour is remembered

describe motor reproduction

the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour

describe motivation

the will to perform the behaviour which is often determined whether behaviour is rewarded or punishedde

describe identification

when an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model

strength of cognitive factors

-social learning theory(SLT) recognises importance of mediational processes

-unlike classical and operant conditioning, SLT explains how people learn by observing others without needing direct experience

-more comprehensive than behaviourism

biological factors (counterpoint)

-SLT has been criticized for underestimating biological influences on learning

-Bandura believed the environment largely determined learning, although biology may influence our ability to imitate others

-mirror neurons help explain observational learning by allowing us to understand and imitate other peoples actions

-biological factors also play a role in SLT

describe the wannabe effect

-group studied 20 college students and 80 primary school students

-both groups identifies with heroic movie stars who they considered attractive and similar to themselves

-more likely to accept prosocial messages from characters admired

-shows identification and imitation of media characters can influence behaviour

describe contrived lab studies

-much of Banduras research was conducted in controlled lab settings

-may display demand chrematistics

-lack mundane realism and not accurate in reflecting every day behaviour

describe reciprocal determinism

not only does environment have impact on you, you also have impact on environment