Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory

1. Big DIFFERENCE

   • C.C or O.C- Happens directly to YOU.
     • Learning theory
   • Behaviours/Experience don't have to happen to you- You can OBSERVE OTHERS
     • Social Learning Theory

2. Imitation

   • Copying behaviours of others

3. Identification

   • Copying people who you're more similar too

4. Modelling

   • The person displaying behaviour is modelling

5. Vicarious Reinforcement

   • Watching others being rewarded/punished

6. Mediational Processes

   • ATTENTION, did you acknowledge the behaviour you want to perform
   • RETENTION, can you remember how to complete the behaviour
   • REPRODUCTION, do you have the ability to replicate the behaviour
   • MOTIVATION, do you have the drive and determination to be able to complete the behaviour
   • Occuring between stimulus and response

7. BANDURA- Bobo Doll

   • Aim- to see whether children learn through observation, looked at aggression
     • Procedure- 3-5 year old children, watched either adults being aggressive or adults responding neutrally to the Bobo Doll
       • Results- they replicated the behaviours displayed by the adults, especially when the children could identify with the adult (SAME SEX)
         • Variation: Watched adults through TV, adults dressed up as fictional characters. As well as, adding the addition of Vicarious Reinforcement

8. STRENGTHS

   • Lots of REAL-LIFE application
     • Pairing juvinile criminals with better role models to improve behaviour
   • Explains CULTURAL VARIATIONs
     • Explains why children of different cultures will replicate their parents
   • RESEARCH TO SUPPORT
     • FOX and Bailenson
       • Allowed children to play video games, with characters that looked like themselves
         • Children observed characters either being active during the game, or watched them be more sendentary
           • It was found those watching a more productive character were more active in the next 24hrs
             • Lab experiment, where taking children out of everyday setting could have greatly effected behaviour

9. WEAKNESSES

   • Do individuals learn through observation, or are individuals already determined to display behaviour
     • Cannot establish cause and effect with approach because of the large confounding variables
   • Over-reliance on lab studies
     • Behaviours you get in a lab aren't necessarily those displayed in the real world.
     • NOVEL- Children going in already state 'there's the doll I have to hit'
       • Thought that's what they had to do
         • REDUCE External-Validity
   • Underestimates Biological factors
     • Boys have more testosterone, therefore likely to display more aggression
       • Behaviours can be naturally predicted because of the higher levels of hormones