What is social learning
Social learning = acquiring information from others
- Humans unique in that we can pass on information from one generation to the next
Cultural transmission of knowledge study
MONKEYS
- 18 moth old Imo washed her potatoes in nearby stream
- 3 months later Imo’s mom and 2 playmates observed to be washing potatoes
- During next 2 years, 7 other youngsters observed
- 3 years after initial observation, 40% of troop was washing potatoes
- Was not social learning because speed of spread of behaviour did not increase as more members learned it
Lyons et al. Puzzle box
- 4 steps demonstrated, only 2 necessary for goal
- Children age 3 - 5 years tend to use mimicry and over-imitate
- Genetic predisposition to pay attention to others
Parenting styles demensions
- Warmth and responsiveness
- High: Openly warm and affectionate, involved with children, respond to emotional needs
- Low: focused more on own needs, even sometimes hostile - Control
- Efforts to set rules and impose limits on what children are allowed to do
Authoritative Parenting style
Explain rules and encourage discussion
Impact: responsible, self-reliant, friendly, high academic achievement
Authoritarian Parenting style
Rules are to be followed without discussion; respect and obedience
Impact: Unhappy, low self-esteem, often aggressive
Permissive parenting style
Infrequent punishment, allow children to do what they want
Impact: Impulsive, little self-control
Uninvolved parenting style
Provides for basic needs but little else
Impact: Most difficulty, poor academic performance, aggression
Cultural differences in Parenting styles
- Hamilton: low depression ratings associated with positive parenting styles
- Asian Culture: Cooperation and collaboration more important than individualism (authoritarian parenting with positive outcome)
-Latino Cultures: Respect for family; authoritarian
-Low SES: More controlling and punitive
Observational Learning
Includes counter-imitation: learning what should not be done
Direct instruction
telling a child what to do when and why
- explain consequences
Feedback
Reinforcement: increases recurrence of response
Punishment: decreases recurrence of response
Negative reinforcement trap
When parents give in to complaining and whining with a compromise it reinforces that behaviour
Use of physical punishment
- Children between the ages of 2-12 years
- not degrading, humiliating or harmful
- delivered when one is collected and not angered
- used to correct or teach child
best when: - administered directly after undesired behaviour
- consistent
- accompanied by explanation
- a warm affectionate relationship exists
Punishment and extinction
- Skinner observed that punishment reduces behaviour only while punishing agent is present; behaviour continues when threat of punishment is removed
- better to praise because punishment is only effective if parents are watching
