[A] Social learning theory Flashcards
How is social learning theory defined?
As learning behaviour that is controlled by environmental influences, rather than innate influences.
What does social learning theory suggest?
That aggression is learnt by observing models, through either direct or vicarious reinforcement.
When is aggression likely to be learnt?
When associated with a reward or if the behaviour is reinforced.
What are the four most important concepts of social learning theory?
Observation, imitation, reinforcement and modelling.
When will a child display aggressive behaviour?
As long as the chance of reward is greater than the chance of punishment.
What is self-efficacy?
Confidence in one’s ability to perform.
How does self-efficacy affect an individual?
If one has low self-efficacy, their confidence will be reduced.
Which variables is the relationship between perceived media violence and acting out of violence influenced by?
If the violence is fantasy or true to life, if viewers identify with the aggressor and if the aggression is punished.
What did Bandura, Ross and Ross do?
They conducted the Bobo doll study with children from a nursery school, where the children were observed and then given aggression ratings, then observed an adult either playing nicely or playing aggressive, then were subjected to a mild aggression arousal (by being told they were not allowed to play with some toys) then observing the children’s behaviour after this aggression arousal.
What were the results of Bandura, Ross and Ross’ study?
Children in the aggressive condition showed a good deal of physical and verbal aggression, boys and girls were more influenced by the male role model, and the boys displayed more aggression overall.
What did Huesmann find?
Children use television character’s behaviour as a script for their later behaviour.
What did Siegal find?
The boy who watches his father attack his mother is more likely to become a violent partner and father in the future.
Give three positive evaluation points of social learning theory.
- Patterson et al (1989) found that parents are the most influential role model in the development of aggression.
- Bandura’s research has high reliability as it is a laboratory experiment.
- Cultural evidence from Mead (1935) found that the Arapesh is an example of a non-aggressive culture, and the Mundugmor is an example of a culture where aggression is encouraged.
Give four weaknesses of social learning theory.
- Laboratory research lacks ecological validity.
- Over-simplistic, does not consider biological explanations of aggression.
- Demand characteristics affected the children in Bandura’s experiment, some thought they were supposed to act aggressively.
- Gender-biased, focuses on male aggression more.
