Aggression: The Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Bandura suggested that all behaviour is …

Therefore …

Answer 1

learnt from observing others in the environment

aggression is also learnt by observation and imitation of a role model

Question 2

What are the three main characteristics of role models?

Answer 2

-high status
-being attractive
-being similar to an individual

Question 3

The individual has to … the aggressive role model

What does this mean?

Answer 3

internalise

this means they adopt the behaviour of the person they are observing

Question 4

What makes an individual more likely to replicate the behaviour of an aggressive role model?

What is this called?

Answer 4

if they observe the role model being rewarded for their aggressive behaviour

vicarious reinforcement

Question 5

Not all aggressive behaviour observed will be imitated , what does the social learning theory say comes between observation and imitation ?

Answer 5

mediational processes

Question 6

State and relate the 4 mediational processes to aggression

Answer 6

attention-person has to pay attention to the aggressive behaviour

retention-the aggressive behaviour has to be remembered

reproduction-observer has to be able to imitate the aggressive behaviour

motivation-the observer must want to imitate the aggressive behaviour

Question 7

What is meant by self efficacy?

Describe how self efficacy links with aggression (1 point)

Answer 7

describes the extent to which we believe our actions will achieve a desired goal

-an individuals confidence in their ability to be aggressive will develop with each successful outcome

Question 8

Give 2 strengths of the social learning theory as an explanation for aggression

Answer 8

+supporting evidence from Bandura et al (1961) , 72 children aged 3-5 in groups of 6 either observed an adult assault a bobo doll or play non aggressively with the doll and were then taken to another room with a bobo doll and other toys , were observed playing
-found children were significantly more aggressive if they observed an adult being aggressive which shows aggressive behaviour is learnt through observing role models

+practical apps
parenting programmes have been developed to decrease aggression in children using knowledge gained from the SLT
-this involves parents displaying prosocial behaviours rather than aggressive ones and regulating exposure to aggressive media

Question 9

Give 3 weaknesses of the social learning theory as an explanation for aggression

Answer 9

-carried out in a lab , so may not be reflective of how aggression is learnt in the real world , also Bandura couldn’t know whether aggression continued as the experiment only tested ST learning

-contradictory evidence from Brunner et al (1993) who found aggression is linked with the MAOA gene , suggesting genetic involvement

-other explanations , Bandura found that males were more aggressive than females which suggests that aggression may be determined by testosterone levels , so challenges the social learning theory