Social learning

• What is the main premise of social learning theory?

  People learn behaviour through observation and imitation of others.
• How does social learning theory suggest learning occurs?

  Learning happens through indirect reinforcement.
• What is vicarious reinforcement?

  Vicarious reinforcement happens through observing someone else being reinforced for their behaviour.
• What are the four mediational processes in social learning theory?

  1. Attention - the extent to which we notice certain behaviours
  2. Retention - how well the behaviour is remembered
  3. Motor reproduction - the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
  4. Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour, influenced by rewards or punishments
• Why is attention important in the learning process?

  Attention determines the extent to which we notice certain behaviours.
• What does retention refer to in the context of social learning theory?

  Retention refers to how well the behaviour is remembered.
• What is meant by motor reproduction in social learning theory?

  Motor reproduction is the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour.
• How does motivation influence the learning process?

  Motivation is the will to perform the behaviour, often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished.
• What is the process called when individuals imitate the behaviour of role models?

  This process is called modelling.
• What factors make someone a role model in social learning theory?

  A person becomes a role model if they possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are attractive and have high status.
• What were the findings of the first research study involving children and a Bobo doll?

  • Children who watched an adult behaving aggressively towards a Bobo doll were much more aggressive towards the doll themselves.
  • Children who saw an adult behaving non-aggressively showed less aggression.
• What were the findings of the second research study involving children and aggression?

  • Children who saw an adult rewarded for aggressive behaviour were more aggressive towards the doll.
  • Children who saw an adult punished or with no consequence showed less aggression.
• What does the research suggest about children's imitation of violence?

  The research suggests that children are likely to imitate acts of violence observed in an adult role model.
• How does vicarious reinforcement affect modelling aggressive behaviour?

  Modelling aggressive behaviour is more likely if the behaviour is rewarded (vicarious reinforcement).