Social Learning Theory

Albert Bandura

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHi2dxSf9hw

Research Study

Bandura et al. (1961)

Video Clip

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bandura+bobo+doll&search_type=

Learning OutcomesBy the end of this lesson you should be able to:

describe Social Learning Theory

apply Social Learning Theory to gender

Social Learning TheoryKey Terms

Observational Learning

Vicarious (Indirect) Reinforcement

Vicarious (Indirect) Punishment

Model Imitation Mental Representation

(Cognition)Graphic Organiser

Social Learning Stages Attention

Retention

Reproduction

Motivation

Social Cognitive Theory

Bandura added more factors to the SLT to explain the cognitive factors of role development...

Modelling

What makes someone likely to copy what you are doing?

Appropriateness!Males would imitate other males

or someone with similar characteristics to them

Eg) Boys may learn a good deal about homemaking, but rarely adopt such activities (Bandura

and Bussey, 1999)

How might children’s experiences change as they

grow up?

As children grow up, their mobility

improves. Their variety of social

reactions increase!This is known as:

ENACTIVE REPRESENTATION

Direct Tuition

Appropriate gender instructions begin as

children acquire language.

“Instructors” can be parents or children.

Anyone with an authority oh children

Can you remember any of your gendered instructions?

Discussion Can you remember

anything/anyone that had an influence on your gender identity

growing up?

Can you remember the context/what was said?

If you were rearing a child of your own, do you think you would

influence their gender development?

The Influence of Parents

Parents are a primary socializing agent, especially

when children are young

Starting at birth, parents treat girls and boys differently, and

believe them to possess different characteristics

The Influence of Peers

Peers are important because they offer a model of gender-

linked behaviours(Bandura, 1999)

In their interactions, peers reward each other for gender appropriate

activities and vice versa.Boys are more likely to

criticise activities considered feminine

(Fagot, 1985)

The Influence of Schools

Teachers are another source of influence.

They can reinforce gender appropriate behaviour and act

as role models themselves

Media Influences

Messages about gendered behavior and interactions are also conveyed through television, movies, magazines, and books

On average, each day a 4-year-old watches 2 hours of television and a 12-year-old watches 4 hours (Comstock and Scharrer, 2001)

Some European nations ban ads before, during, and after children’s television programming

Men are more likely to be seen controlling events, while women are at the mercy of them (Hodges et al, 1981)

Review True - False

1 Social learning theory explains

how behaviour is learnt by observing others.

2 A child is more likely to imitate

the behaviour of a model who is younger than them.

3 Vicarious reinforcement is when

the child is directly rewarded for copying the models behaviour.

4 Social learning theory fails to

take into account the role of cognitive factors.

5 Bandura further adapted the

social role theory to explain gender development

6 Social learning theory can explain

how behaviour can be learnt without necessarily being performed.

7 Enactive representation is when

the variety of social reactions of children is increased through

greater mobility

8 Girls are more likely to imitate

male models as males are generally more aggressive.

9 Direct Tuition begins as children

learn to write

10 Children are more likely to show

aggression if they observe someone being punished for aggressive behaviour.