slt

• What does SLT stand for in learning theory?

  Social Learning Theory
• How does Bandura's view differ from traditional behaviorists?

  He suggests learning occurs through imitation and observation
• What does SLT say about learning methods?

  Learning happens directly and indirectly
• What is vicarious reinforcement?

  Learning by observing others' behaviors and consequences
• What is the most important aspect of vicarious reinforcement?

  Observing the consequences of behavior
• When does a learner imitate behavior according to SLT?

  If the behavior is rewarded rather than punished
• What do mediational processes in SLT focus on?

  How mental factors are involved in learning
• How many stages of learning did Bandura identify?

  Four stages
• What are the four stages of learning according to Bandura?

  1. Attention: Notice the behavior
  2. Retention: Remember the behavior
  3. Motor reproduction: Ability to perform behavior
  4. Motivation: Will to perform behavior
• What increases the likelihood of imitating a behavior?

  Identifying with the person or role model
• Who can be considered a role model?

  Same sex, higher status individuals
• Can role models be present through media?

  Yes, like actors in films
• What age group did Bandura's imitation research involve?

  Children aged 3-6
• What were the procedures in Bandura's imitation research?

  • Half observed non-aggressive behavior
  • Half observed aggressive behavior
  • Children were frustrated by not playing with toys
• What was a key finding from Bandura's imitation research?

  Children who saw aggression reproduced it
• How did the sex of the adult model affect imitation?

  Imitation was stronger with same-sex adults
• What was the procedure in Bandura's vicarious reinforcement research?

  Children watched an adult behave aggressively to a doll
• What were the findings of Bandura's vicarious reinforcement research?

  • Group 1 (praised) most aggressive
  • Group 2 (punished) least aggressive
  • Group 3 (no consequences) showed moderate aggression
• What is a strength of Social Learning Theory (SLT)?

  It highlights the importance of cognitive factors
• How does SLT differ from classical and operant conditioning?

  It includes memory and thinking in learning
• What is a limitation of Bandura's SLT?

  Over-reliance on lab studies
• Why might lab studies not reflect real-life learning?

  Children may act as expected rather than naturally
• What biological factor does SLT underestimate?

  The role of hormones like testosterone
• What consistent finding was observed in Bandura's Bobo doll experiments?

  Boys were more aggressive than girls
• What does the limitation of SLT regarding biological factors suggest?

  It overlooks significant biological influences
• How does SLT's focus limit its explanatory power?

  It neglects important biological factors
• Vicarious reinforcement 

  • Indirect learning as individual observes behaviour of another 
  • Most importantly observes the consequence of behaviour (not only behaviour) 
  • Learner imitates behaviour if its rewarded rather than punished.  
• Identification 

  • More likely to imitate behaviour if you identify with the person, role models – called modelling 
  • Models can be same sex, higher status, some sort of attraction 
  • Share similar characteristics to observer 
  • Doesn’t have to be present in environment, can be through media ( like actors) 
• Banduras imitation research: 

  Procedure- 

  -children aged 3-6 

  -half observed non-aggressive behaviour while other half observed aggressive behaviour 

  -children left intentionally frustrated as they weren't allowed to play with toys shown 

   Findings- 

  • Those who observed aggressive behaviour, reproduced it 
  • Those who observed non-aggressive behaviour showed no aggression 
  • Imation was stronger when children observed same sex adult  
  • Shows support for Imitation and observation 
• Banduras vicarious reinforcement research- bobo doll 

  Procedure- 

  -video shown to 4year olds that has adult behaving aggressively to bobo doll  

  -group 1: children saw adult being praised for behaviour  

  -group 2: children saw adult being punished 

  -group 3 (control): saw no consequences 

   

  Findings- 

  •  Group 1 most aggressive 
  • Group 3  
  • Group 2 least aggressive  
  • Supports vicarious reinforcement 
• Point:  shows how cognitive factors are important in learning, something classical and operant conditioning don’t fully explain. 

  evidence: Bandura (1977) suggested people/ animals watch others to learn behaviours, instead of only learning through their own actions. helps avoid danger/effort of learning only from personal experience. 

  Explanation: This shows that learning is not just about rewards and punishments. SLT includes how we use our memory and thinking to learn from others, which helps guide our future actions. 
• Point: over-reliance on evidence from lab studies, which may not reflect real-life learning. 

  Evidence: Bandura’s research, like the Bobo doll experiment, was conducted in lab settings, which are artificial. children may have acted in ways they thought were expected, rather than how they would behave in real life. 

  Explanation: behaviour seen in lab studies may not represent how children learn aggression in everyday situations. The controlled environment may influence participants to behave differently than they would naturally. 
•  Point: underestimates the role of biological factors in behaviour. 

  Evidence: Bobo doll experiments, boys were more aggressive than girls, regardless of the experimental conditions. This could be explained by biological factors, higher levels of testosterone in boys, linked to aggression. 

  Explanation: TSLT doesn't fully account for biological influences, such as hormones, which play a significant role in shaping behaviour. By focusing on social and environmental factors, SLT overlooks the biological aspect of aggression.