Behaviourist & Social Learning Theory - Learning Approaches

• The main assumptions of the Behaviourist approach.

  The behaviourist approach states that all behaviour is learnt. The main assumptions are that behaviour is learnt through the process of classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Behaviourists only study things that can be observed and measured, and as they like objective tests, they prefer to carry out lab experiments.
• Classical Conditioning


  Pavlov developed classical conditioning and did a study on dogs.

  BEFORE: the unconditioned stimulus (food), would cause the dogs to have an unconditioned response (salivation). The neutral stimulus (bell) wouldn't strike a response. DURING: the neutral stimulus (bell) with the uncontrolled stimulus (food), causes an unconditioned response (salivation). AFTER: the bell becomes a conditioned stimulus and now the dog associates the bell with the food, even when the food isn't present. This causes the conditioned response of salvation.
• Classical conditioning is learning through association
• Operant conditioning is learning through reinforcement and punishment.
• What are the three types of operant conditioning?

  Positive reinforcement (a reward given when a certain behaviour is performed), Negative reinforcement (the avoidance of something unpleasant) , Punishment (the consequence of a behaviour)
• Operant Conditioning

  Skinner developed operant conditioning. The Skinner Box was used to investigate operant conditioning in rats. When the rats accidently pressed the lever, food was dispensed. Overtime, they learned and they continued to do it intentionally. Skinner also demonstrated how rats would learn to perform the same behaviour to avoid unpleasant consequences such as an electric shock.
• Evaluation of Behaviourism

  STRENGTHS: scientific credibility - focuses on the measurement of observable behaviour. Animals were kept in the same controlled conditions. There are real life applications based on behaviourism. It involves giving tokens in exchange for privileges and this has been used in mental institutions. Suggests that behaviourism has validity in the real world

  WEAKNESSES: Views behaviour in a mechanic way- ignores the role of thinking before acting. There are ethical and practical issues- it'd be difficult to replicate the studies.
• Bandura developed the behaviourist approach by adding mental processes as an important factor in learning- this came to be called the social learning theory. Key factors in our learning are observation and imitation.
• Social Learning Theory main assumptions

  • Behaviour is learned.
  • We learn through observation and imitation.
  • Learning can occur directly (operant & classical conditioning) or indirectly, through other people (vicarious reinforcement)
• Social Learning Theory

  We also learn through the reinforcement of others. This is called vicarious reinforcement. When an individual observes behaviour they may imitate it. If the model is rewarded for their behaviour, that are more likely to imitate. However, they are less likely to do so if the model is being punished.
• Social Learning Theory

  Before we imitate a behaviour there are mediational processes that determine whether a person actually imitates the model. These are:

  1. Attention - the extent to which we notice certain behaviours
  2. Retention - how well the behaviour is remembered
  3. Motor Reproduction - the ability to perform the behaviour
  4. Motivation - the desire to repeat the behaviour (tends to be determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished)
• Social Learning Theory

  Imitation is the copying of someone else's behaviour, through identifying it. Modelling is the performance of a behaviour which is imitated by a model.
• Social Learning Theory - Banduras Research(1961)


  In 1961, Bandura conducted a study where children watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a bobo doll. When the children were later free to play with the toys, many of them imitated the behaviour they had observed. A finding was that girls who saw female models act aggressively were 2x more likely to imitate the woman.
• Social Learning Theory - Banduras Research (1963)


  In 1963, Bandura and Walters conducted the same experiment however vicarious reinforcement was used. Those that saw the model get positively reinforced showed more aggression than those who saw the model get punished & the control group (the no comment response).
• What does the Social Learning Theory (SLT) include in its approach to learning?


  The role of mental processes (cognitions)
• Why is the inclusion of mental processes in SLT considered a strength?

  It provides a more accurate explanation of behaviour rather than conditioning alone
• SLT strength: How does SLT explain cultural differences in behaviour?


  It suggests that different communities have different behaviours due to the models they are surrounded by
• What is a major weakness of the Social Learning Theory regarding its research methods?

  It relies heavily on research from lab experiments
• SLT: What is a potential issue with the validity of Bandura's ideas?

  They may have low external validity due to being based on lab observations
• Why might the Social Learning Theory not be useful for explaining all behaviors?

  Because it does not consider biological factors
• Social learning theory is different from the behavioural approach, because an assumption of social learning theory is that we can learn just by observing others.
• Behaviourists believe learning occurs through direct experience whereas social learning theorists believe that behaviour is learned through observation of others.
• Social Learning Theory

  People are more likely to imitate a model if they identify with the model.