Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory

1. Modelling

   • Identification
     • Imitation
       • the behaviour is reproduced and performed
       • eg of imitated behaviour: language (swearing/accents), social views, reactions to situations
     • when an individual can rleate to a model and feels similar to that person
     • children identify with: same gender, family, older people
       • children dont identify with: people they dislike, younger people
   • behaviour carried out by a model
   • eg of models: celebrities, parents, teachers

2. Vicarious reinforcement

   • behaviour is more likely to be imitated if rewarded and less likely if punished

3. Bandura's Bobo doll study

   • children in the room where adult was violent copied this behaviour
   • children in room where adult played nicely with toys also played nicely
   • adults were the models and the children identified with them and copied their behaviour
     • same genders were most likely copied

4. Mediational processes

   • cognitive factors that influence learning
     • even if we observe something we wont necessarily imitate it
   • ATTENTION: noticing behaviour
   • RETENTION: remembering behaviour
   • MOTOR REPRODUCTION: ability to copy
   • MOTIVATION: will to copy

5. Strengths

   • Bobo doll study provides evidence - valid
   • learn behaviour from observing others - more comprehensive explanation - includes mediational processes

6. Weaknesses

   • lab experiments - artificial settings - demand characteristics more likely
     • participants may change behaviour to fit in with what they think the researcher wants to see
   • doesnt look at biological factors - eg: in doll studies if boys were more aggressive it may have been due to testosterone
   • cant be certain of cause and effect

Images and files in the map