social learning theory

• Social learning theory falls under the category of learning theories
• Who pioneered social learning theory?

  Albert Bandura
• Social learning theory agrees with behaviorism that behavior is learned through operant and classical conditioning.
• Social learning theory differs from behaviorism by emphasizing the role of observation and imitation of role models
• What is vicarious reinforcement in social learning theory?

  Observing someone else rewarded
• Vicarious reinforcement encourages behavior because individuals anticipate a similar reward.
• Role models in social learning theory are people that individuals identify with.
• What are some characteristics of a role model according to social learning theory?

  Status, charisma, similarity
• The four mediational processes in social learning theory

  1️⃣ Attention

  2️⃣ Retention

  3️⃣ Motor reproduction

  4️⃣ Motivation
• What is the purpose of attention in mediational processes?

  To notice a behavior
• Motor reproduction in mediational processes refers to the ability to physically imitate a learned behavior.
• Motivation in mediational processes depends on whether the behavior has been vicariously reinforced.
• Match the mediational process with its role in learning:

  Attention ↔️ Noticing the behavior

  Retention ↔️ Remembering the behavior

  Motor reproduction ↔️ Physically imitating the behavior

  Motivation ↔️ Desire to repeat the behavior
• How does social learning theory differ from behaviorism in terms of choice?

  Social learning theory emphasizes choice
• The Bobo doll study was conducted by Albert Bandura in 1961.
• What did the Bobo doll study demonstrate about children's behavior?

  Learning through observation
• Children who observed an adult being aggressive towards the Bobo doll behaved more aggressively themselves.
• The Bobo doll study is often used as an evaluation point for social learning theory.
• What is a strength of social learning theory in explaining human behavior?

  Acknowledges cognitive factors
• Social learning theory suggests that learning is solely determined by the environment.

  False
• What are mirror neurons, and how do they relate to observational learning?

  Nerve cells for empathy
• Mirror neurons suggest that biological factors are underemphasized in social learning theory.
• What is a limitation of the evidence supporting social learning theory?

  Artificial experimental setting
• The Bobo doll study's artificial setting may reduce its validity in explaining real-world aggression.