Psychology Paper 2- Social Learning Theory Approach

social learning theory believes that

learning happens through observation and imitation

social learning theory highlights

importants of cognitive processes

cognitive processes such as

mediational processes

social learning theory rejects idea that

learning is due to stimulus-response loop

vicarious reinforcement

when observed individual is rewarded for a behaviour

role models are often

identified with due to same age or sex or admired/successful

imitation

copying a behaviour

identification

copying multiple behaviours

mediational processes come

between stimulus and response

what are the mediational processes?

attention, retention, motivation, motor reproduction

social learning theory- who?

bandura

who developed the social learning theory?

bandura

what did bandura do

bobo doll study

bobo doll study showed

power of role models over imitative behaviour

bobo doll study format

72 children in 3 groups- aggressive/non-agressive role model and control group

bobo doll study- scientific?

partially- scientific methods by mediational processes cannot be directly measured

social learning theory assumes that

people are active information processors

strengths of social learning theory

better than behaviourist approach, can explain cultural differences and norms

strength of social learning theory- better than behaviourist approach

more comprehensive explanation of learning, less deterministic- acknowledges free will

weaknesses of social learning theory

over-reliance on lab studies, underestimates importance of biological factors

weakness of social learning theory- over-reliance on lab studies

possible demand characteristics

weakness of social learning theory- underestimates importance of biological factors

male kids in bobo doll study more aggressive

social learning theory suggests that learning takes place

directly, through conditioning, and indirectly, through vicarious reinforcement

bandura emphasised

reciprocal determinism

reciprocal determinism

we are influenced by the environment but we also influence the environment through our behaviours- implies that we have some free will