PSY; Social Learning Theory

whats the social learning theory

a way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combin

how does indirect learning take place

when an individual observes the behaviour of others and may imitate if the behaviour is rewarded rather than punished

whats vicarious reinforcement

a key factor of imitation;

when the learner observes a behaviour and the consequences of that behaviour

and will only imitate that behaviour if its being rewarded

why is SLT described as the ‘bridge’ between behaviourism and cognitivity

bc it focuses on how mental (cognitive) factors are involved in learning behaviours

what are meditational processes

mental (cognitive) factors that intervene (mediate) in the learning process by coming between the stimulus and the response

i.e determines whether a new response is produced

what are the 4 meditational processes

relate to learning of behaviour;

1. attention - noticing certain behaviours

2. retention - how well the behaviour is remembered

relate to performance of behaviour;

3. motor reproduction - ability of the learner to perform the same behaviour

4. motivation - the will to perform the behaviour (depends if its rewarded/punished)

whats meant by attention as a meditational process

extent to which we notice certain behaviours

whats meant by retention as a mediational process

how well the behaviour is remembered

whats meant by motor reproduction as a meditational process

ability of the learner to perform the behaviour

what meant by motivation as a meditational process

the will/motivation to perform the behaviour (depends whether the behaviour is rewarded/punished)

who identified the 4 meditational processes in learning

Bandura

whats identification

when people are more likely to imitate people they identify with (role model) via modelling

what meant by modelling

when the observer imitates the behaviour of their role model

a role model can display modelling by demonstrating a specific behaviour that may be imitated

whats a role model

a person who possesses similar characteristics to the observer and may be attractive/high status

procedure of Bandura et al (1961)

recorded behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll

adult hit the doll w a hammer and shouted at it

the children were later observed playing with various toys including the Bobo doll

findings of Bandura et al (1961)

found the children behaving more aggressively towards the doll and toys compared to those who observed a non-aggressive adult

procedure of Bundara & Walters (1963)

shown vids to children where an adult behaved aggressively towards the Bobo doll;

one group of children saw the adult praised for their behaviour

second group saw adult being punished for their aggression by being told off

third group (control group) saw aggression without a consequence

findings of Bandura &Walters (1963)

first group show more aggression towards their own bobo doll

second group shown the least aggression

conc; shows that behaviour is only imitated if rewarded (displaying vicarious reinforcement)

strength of SLT - recognises the importance of cognitive factors unlike strict behaviourist approach

E; Bandura suggested that people do not just observe behaviour but also the consequences of the behaviour and so store the information to make decisions on how to act (ie mediational processes)

E; This means that SLT offers a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising that we think (mediate) before we act rather than just responding to stimuli

L; Therefore, SLT. provides a more realistic cognitive focused way of explaining human learning compared to simple conditioning models (behaviourist approach)

limitation of SLT - ignores biological factors

P; SLT heavily emphasises the environment as the sole cause of behaviour, ignoring biological factors

E; Bandura thought that learning was determined by the environment, However, research suggests this observational learning may be the result of mirror neurons in the brain (allow us to emphathise and imitate ppl)

E; This means SLT may not be a complete explanation of human behaviour as it fails to account for biological predispositions

L; Therefore, SLT may be too deterministic so a more holistic approach that considers both biological and environmental factors may be more valid

limitation of SLT - methodological issues

E; much of the evidence is based on lab studies, for example, in Bandura’s study the children were exposed to an artificial, unfamiliar adult acting aggressively towards a doll.

E; The use of the doll can be interpreted as a toy so it may encourage playful behaviour rather than violent

L; Therefore, the research in SLT has low ecological validity bc they dont reflect real life situations where aggression has real consequences

strength of SLT - real world applications in understanding criminal behaviours and implying positive behaviour change

E; For example, by understanding that behaviour is modelled, therapists can use positive role models to help unlearn negative behaviours or learn new positive ones

E; This demonstrates that SLT has practical utility and isn’t just a theoretical concept

L; Therefore, the ability of SLT to be applied to real world scenarios makes it highly relevant and useful