Social learning theory : Approaches

Outline the four assumptions of the social learning theory approach.

- behaviour is learned through observation

-People learn through imitation of others in a social context.

-Learning occurs directly, though classical and operant conditioning,

• imitation uses cognitive mediational approaches

What is social learning theory?

A way of explaining behaviour through role models that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.

Define imitation.

Copying others' behaviour.

Define identification.

When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like that role model. eg a little girl identifying with a teenage girl

Define modelling from observer's ( persons ) perspective

Modelling is imitating a role model's behaviour.

Define vicarious reinforcement.

Reinforcement that isn't directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being rewarded / punished for their behaviour. This is a key factor in imitation.

Define mediational processes.

Cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response.

What are the 4 mediational processes in learning?

Attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation.

The 4 mediational processes in learning are: attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation. What is attention in this context?

How much attention is paid to a role model due to status , this is effected by extent to which we identify with that person

The 4 mediational processes in learning are: attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation. What is retention in this context?

How well the behaviour is remembered.

The 4 mediational processes in learning are: attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation. What is motor reproduction in this context?

If the observer (child) has the ability to copy the behaviour of their role model, eg playing basketball, is the observer strong enough to play.

The 4 mediational processes in learning are: attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation. What is motivation in this context?

The will to do the behaviour, if they have observed the role model being rewarded (vicarious reinforcement) they are more likely to repeat the behaviour.

What is the main study for SLT

Banduras bobo doll study

What was bandura’s aim

To find out if children would be more agressive when observing a ‘role model’ being agressive

What was Condition 1 in banduras study

Children observed a role model (gender varied) attack a bobo doll and say agressive things to it

What was condition 2 in banduras study

Role model assembled the bobo doll with no agression

What did bandura do to see if the children would imitate the behaviour

put them in a room on their own with a bobo doll for 20 mins to see what they would do

What did bandura find

children were agressive to the bobo doll in condition 1, and were more likely to be agressive if the role model was the same gender as them

Who was most agressive

Boys in all conditions were much more physically agressive

What did other studies show about imitation

It is more likely to occur when the agression was rewarded

A strength of the social learning theory approach is...

that it provides a higher level of explanation of behaviours than behaviourism , as it considers the role of cognition and free will

A weakness of the social learning theory approach is that it

underestimates the influence of biological factors, in bandura's study it ignores the fact that agression ect may be heridetary and not just from watching role models

Strength of the social learning theory approach

is that it has useful applications, it changes previous cultural norms that what children watch has no effect on their behaviour when in fact it does. Increasing regulations on tv and movies.

What is a strength of banduras study

High internal validity as it is standardised and extraneuos variables are minimal

What is a weakness of banduras study

Artificial setting, children did not meet adult, meaning it is not similiar to how children usually meet role models. lowering ecological validity