Social learning theory

• What is social learning theory?

  A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.
• What is imitation ?

  Copying the behaviour of others.
• What is identification?

  A desire to be associated with a particular person or group often because the person/group possesses certain desirable characteristics.
• What is modelling?

  From an observer's perspective, modelling is imitating the behaviour of a role model. From the role model's perspective, modelling is the precise demonstration of a specific behaviour that may then be imitated by an observer.
• What is vicarious reinforcement?

  Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour. This is a key factor in imitation.
• What are mediational processes?

  Cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response.

  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, which is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished.
• Strength of social learning theory?

  P- recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning.

  E- Neither classical nor operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own. Humans and animals store information about the behaviour of others and use this to make judgements about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions.

  L- SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes.
• CA of Strength for social learning theory?

  P- SLT has been criticised for making too little reference to the influence of biological factors on social learning.

  E- recent research suggests that observational learning, of the kind Bandura was talking about, may be the result of mirror neurons in the brain, which allow us to empathise with and imitate other people.

  L- biological influences on social learning were under-emphasised in SLT.
• Limitation of social learning theory?

  P- evidence on which it is based was gathered through lab studies.

  E- Many of Bandura's ideas were developed through observation of young children's behaviour in the lab. Lab studies are often criticised for their contrived nature where participants may respond to demand characteristics. the main purpose of the doll is to strike it, the children were simply behaving in a way that they thought was expected.

  L- research may tell us little about how children actually learn aggression in everyday life.
• another strength of social learning theory?

  P- SLT principles have been applied to a range of real-world behaviours.

  E- SLT has the advantage of being able to explain cultural differences in behaviour. SLT principles, such as modelling, imitation and reinforcement, can account for how children learn from others around them, including the media, and this can explain how social/cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies. proved useful in understanding a range of behaviours

  L- increases the value of the approach as it can account for real-world behaviour.
• What was bandura’s research?

  recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll. The adult hit the doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it.

  When children later observed playing with various toys, including a Bobo doll, behaved much more aggressively towards the doll and the other toys than those who had observed a non-aggressive adult.