learning approaches

• What is NOT a behavioral theory?

  Social Learning Theory
• How is behavior learned according to Social Learning Theory?


  Behavior is learned through observation and imitation
• What is the term for when observers imitate the behavior of those they wish to be like?


  Modeling
• Who is considered a role model in the context of Social Learning Theory?


  The person exhibiting the behavior that is imitated
• What factors influence whom we are likely to copy according to Social Learning Theory?


  We are more likely to copy those who are most like us or we admire
• What is vicarious reinforcement?


  It is when a reward is witnessed but not directly received
• What are the mediational processes in Social Learning Theory?


  Attention, Retention, Motor reproduction
• What does 'Attention' refer to in the mediational processes?


  It refers to the extent to which we notice behavior
• What does 'Retention' refer to in the mediational processes?


  It refers to how well we remember behavior
• What does 'Motor reproduction' refer to in the mediational processes?


  It refers to the ability we have to reproduce the behavior
• How can motor reproduction be affected?


  It may be affected by whether the behavior is rewarded or punished
• What classic studies did Bandura conduct?


  Studies involving children observing aggressive and non-aggressive behavior towards a Bobo doll
• What was the outcome for children who witnessed aggression in Bandura's studies?


  Many children who witnessed aggression reproduced it
• What factor increased the likelihood of behavior being reproduced in Bandura's studies?


  Behavior was more likely to be reproduced if the model was rewarded
• What are the key assumptions of the learning approaches?

  • Behavior is due to learned responses which can be altered.
  • Abnormality occurs when maladaptive responses are learned.
  • Behavior can be measured objectively.
• Why does the learning approach focus on behavior rather than mental processes?


  It is only interested in studying behavior that can be objectively measured
• What is classical conditioning?


  Behavior is learned through association
• What did Pavlov's experiment demonstrate?


  Dogs learned to associate a bell with food, producing salivation
• What is the unconditional stimulus in Pavlov's experiment?


  Food
• What is the unconditional response in Pavlov's experiment?


  Salivation
• What is the neutral/conditional stimulus in Pavlov's experiment?


  The bell
• What is the conditional response in Pavlov's experiment?

  salivation
• What is the evaluation of Social Learning Theory regarding thought processes?


  It includes thought processes and explains individual differences
• What is a limitation of Bandura's studies?


  Studies may lack external validity due to the environment being strange
• What does Bandura argue regarding gendered socialization?


  Different things are taught to boys and girls
• What is reciprocal determinism in Bandura's theory?


  It acknowledges that behavior is influenced by the environment but can also affect the environment
• What is a challenge in establishing cause and effect in real life according to SLT?


  Cognitive processes have to be inferred
• What is operant conditioning?


  Behavior is influenced by the consequences of actions
• What is positive reinforcement?


  It is a reward that results in behavior being repeated
• What is negative reinforcement?


  It is the removal of unpleasant things that results in behavior being repeated
• What is punishment in the context of operant conditioning?


  It is when behavior is followed by something unpleasant, causing behavior to decrease
• What did Skinner use to train rats?


  Skinner boxes
• What did Skinner measure in his experiments?


  He measured how long it took rats to push a lever and the frequency of the behavior
• What is continuous reinforcement?


  It is when a reward is given every time a behavior is performed
• What is variable ratio reinforcement?


  It is when reinforcement occurs after different amounts of responses
• Why is variable ratio reinforcement the most resistant to extinction?


  Because it provides unpredictable rewards
• What are the key differences between classical conditioning and operant conditioning?


  • Classical Conditioning: Behavior is learned through association.
  • Operant Conditioning: Behavior is influenced by the consequences of actions.
• Reciprocal Determinism


  A concept in Bandura's Social Learning Theory that says behavior is influenced by the environment, but can also affect the environment, with a two-way relationship between the two.
• Environment


  The external world that surrounds us, including people, situations, and events that can influence our behavior.
• Behavior


  The actions, reactions, and decisions we make that can, in turn, influence the environment.