Social Learning Theory
Describe and discuss atleast two features of the social learning theory (10) Social learning theory looks at the social factors and mental processing in human learning. Like behaviourism, it accepts that humans can learn by classical and operant conditioning, but SLT emphasises that humans learn a lot by observation, and imitation of role models. For example, someone must pay attention and perceive what their role model does, think about the purpose of the behaviour they observe, and remember it to accurately reproduce it later. Albert Bandura believed we can learn simply by observing models in the environment and that rewards and punishments are not essential for learning. He looked at the cognitive processes involved in learning e.g. memory and thinking is essential for learning. We can also learn by imitating and copying behaviour. We copy models. We identify with someone we like to be which results in copying and imitating their behaviour. This can be a result of direct or indirect reinforcement. Observational learning has four conditions for effecting modelling to occur. The mediating cognitive factors are attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation. Vicarious conditioning is when the consequences of the model's actions have an important influence on us. Vicarious reinforcement is when the model's actions have a desirable consequence and therefore we are
Social Learning Theory
Social Learning Theory Theorist: Albert Bandura Social Learning Theory: Social Learning is on the nurture side of the Nature Vs Nurture debate. The main concept of the social learning approach is that you learn by observing the behaviour of others and the outcomes of those behaviours. For example, if a child was to see someone getting positively rewarded, they would copy the behaviour to receive the reward. Whereas, if they were to see someone being punished they wouldn't copy it. (Van Wagner K, 2005) Social learning theory explains human behaviour in terms of continuous reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioural, and environmental influences. (Learning-Theorists, 2009) Albert Bandura stated in 1977 that "Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behaviour is learned observationally through modelling: from observing others, one forms an idea of how new behaviours are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action." Modelling is a method used where the client learns from imitation alone, without any specific verbal direction by the therapist. (Wikipedia, modelling, 2008) The conditions that must be in place for effective modelling are: * Attention - A persons characteristics
Evaluate Social Learning Theory
The Social Learning Theory was first introduced by Albert Bandura. This type of learning is also known as Observational learning. Social learning occurs by the process of observing a model behaving a certain way, and then replicating that behavior. This theory was a very important contribution to psychology because it explained how behavior was learnt simply by observation. This theory has both advantages and limitations. A strength of this theory is that it explains some behavior that is not explained by classical and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning is learning by association, while operant conditioning is learning by consequences. This aspect of the theory can evidently be seen in the “Bobo Doll Experiment” carried out by Bandura in 1961. In this experiment the participants consisted of 36 boys and 36 girls, all aged 3 to 6. The children were then divided into three groups of 24, with 12 boys and 12 girls in each group. The children were examined beforehand so that there was an even spread of personalities across the groups. The first group was the control group. The second group was the aggressor group. And the third group was the passive group. In the three conditions, the children were put in the corner of a room with toys that they could not touch. In the control condition, there was no adult model in the room. In the aggressive condition there was a
Social Learning Theory
Social Learning Theory Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, psychologists tended to believe that the explanations offered by classical and operant conditioning were fully adequate to understand human behaviour. Classical conditioning is a form of learning in which a conditioned and unconditioned stimulus become associated, such that the former comes to elicit a response previously elicited only by the latter. It is also known as the Pavlovian or respondent conditioning. Operant conditioning is a form of learning in which voluntary behaviour becomes more or less likely to be repeated depending on its consequences. It is also known as Skinnerian or instrumental conditioning. However, it is now believed that there are many other factors involved in human behaviour, such as cognitive factors, especially observational learning/modeling, and as most of these are based around experience, they are often grouped loosely together under the umbrella term of the social learning mechanisms. Dollard and Miller (1950) stated that, in humans, most learning is social and acquired through observing other people in social situations. Their Social Learning Theory, whilst having its roots in Skinnerian principles, aims to offer a more complex theory of learning in humans within a social context. Bandura (1977) states: "Learning would be extremely laborious, not to mention
Social learning theory
Describe and evaluate one social psychological theory of aggression- (24) There are 3 main types of aggression, pro-social, sanctioned and anti-social. Anti-social aggression does not benefit anyone, there are many theories which try to explain how being around others can cause us to act aggressively, such as the social learning theory. This theory is a behavioural theory which was developed mainly by Bandura. It is based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning. This theory claims that aggression, like all behaviour, is learnt from the environment. This occurs through a process called modelling- the individual observes someone behaving aggressively, and then imitates their behaviour. Certain factors make it more likely that we will imitate the aggression we see. We are more likely to imitate role models. A role model is likely to be an individual who is similar to us and who has desirable characteristics, for example we are more likely to imitate individuals of the same sex and who appear popular. An individual is also more likely to imitate a role model if they have low self esteem. We are also more likely to imitate a person's aggression, if we are vicariously reinforced. This is when we see someone getting rewarded for being aggressive (for example, a boy being congratulated by his friends for punching someone). We are more likely to remember
Aggression and the Social Learning Theory
This essay will address how the study of social influence can be used to explain acts of aggression and what can be done to reduce the negative impact of social influence on human behaviour. The first part of the essay will concentrate on explaining acts of aggression, with the focus on aggression being learned from role models or media, with the second part of the essay focussing on how aggression can be reduced, and the impact it has on human behaviour, using the social learning theory as the main concentration for reduction. "Social Influence. Process whereby attitudes and behaviour are influenced by the real or implied presence of other people" (Hogg Michael A & Vaughan Graham M, 2005, p244) Aggression is a physical or verbal behaviour that is intended to hurt someone. There are two main types of aggression, hostile arising from anger and it's aim is to hurt, and instrumental which aims to hurt only with a particular goal in mind. Social influence considers an individual's need to comply, obey and conform. Conformity occurs in many situations where social norms are in existence calling for 'proper behaviour'; obedience is the impact of power from an individual in a perceived position of authority either real or imagined, compliance is the response to a request for others to go along with the group majority. There are three areas of theory relating to aggression,
Evaluation of Social Learning Theory
We all learn something new everyday in our social lives. People learn from one another, via observation, imitation, and modeling, as suggested by Albert Bandura’s social learning theory. In this essay, the social learning theory will be evaluated intensively through reviewing their strengths and weaknesses. Learning is achieved through observing the behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes of those behaviors. Human behavior, as explained in the social learning theory, is a continuous mutual interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental influences. Bandura stated that most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling. From observing others, one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action.” Four conditions are necessary for effective modeling, namely attention, retention, reproduction and motivation. In attention, for learning to be achieved, the observer must first pay attention to the features of the behavior to be modeled. Various factors increase or decrease the amount of attention paid, including the personality characteristics of both the observer and the person to be observed, and also competing stimuli. In retention, the observer is required to remember and hence retain the details of the behavior of the person observed. In terms of the conditions, retention is
Social Learning Theory, Generation Y, and the Situational Leadership Model
Social Learning Theory, Generation Y, and the Situational Leadership Model Matt Neuhaus November 2008 Table of Contents Social Learning Theory III Generation Y (Millennial Generation) VIII Situational Leadership Model X Relationships XV Social Learning Theory & Generation Y XV Social Learning Theory & Situational Leadership Model XVII Generation Y & The Situational Leadership Model XVIII Appendix I - SLT, by: Kendra Van Wagner XX About the Author (Van Wagner) XXI Bibliography XXIII Social Learning Theory The social learning theory, researched in depth by Albert Bandura in 1977, suggests that learning among individuals occurs within a social context. Social context being any behavior or action another individual performs that is observed by the learning individual. As observed, the action or behavior exhibited by the individual will result in a specific reinforcement, or punishment that is either desirable or not in the eyes of the observer. The action will be learned and imitated if the result is desirable and avoided if the consequence is not desired. Essentially the social learning theory says that people are able to learn new information and behaviors by observing the actions of other people, also known as observational learning (Van Wagner, 1-2) The work of Gabriel Tarde, in and around 1844-1905, led to
Learning Theory
Learning Theory Abstract Psychologists have proposed many different theories to explain how we learn. Behaviourists insist on a scientific, controlled approach where each behaviour is seen as a response to a stimulus. The behaviour modification techniques that have appeared most effective in the special education setting are mainly positive reinforcement and contingency management (Ross and Braden 1991). Teachers should attempt to ensure that they provide frequent but variable ratio reinforcement for appropriate behaviour (Weiten, 2004) and that inappropriate behaviour is denied reinforcement by means of time out or other contingency management. As students vary in their learning styles, teachers may need to identify different techniques to be effective for individual students. When an individual demonstrates a lasting change in behaviour, as a result of experience, this is called learning (Laird, 1992; Myers, 2004). Different theories have been proposed in the attempt to explain how learning occurs. The behaviourist school of psychologists insist on a scientific, controlled approach, where each behaviour is seen as a response to a stimulus. According to these theories, we may increase the frequency of a particular behaviour either because it is being triggered by a stimulus that frequently had been associated in time with another stimulus that would more normally have
Comparing and contrasting the Social learning theory of aggression with the Frustration-Aggression theory of aggression.
Comparing and contrasting the Social learning theory of aggression with the Frustration-Aggression theory of aggression. Filip Cabart In order to examine the two different approaches to aggression there is a clear necessity to define aggression as a term. Aggression is described as aversive behavior, usually directed onto a specific object. The two theories elaborate upon if aggression is or is not only a product of the surrounding environment or a product of the environment combined with the innate factors. The social learning theory is the one stating that aggression is evoked only by the environment, and therefore that it is a learned behavior. The key process in adopting aggressive behavior is the process of modeling, where the observer perceives aggression, usually in a positive manner and then tries to imitate it. All is based on the basic concept of operant and classical conditioning, where the observer is passively reinforced by the consequences of behavior of the observed aggressor and then he would be more or less likely to imitate it, depending if the consequences of observed aggression were positive (reinforcement) or negative (discouragement). To prove the theory, Bandura, Ross, and Ross (1961) conducted an experiment where young children (average age 52 months), were to see an aggressive model hit a bobo doll, and the children were then observed to imitate
