Agression (P3)

Question 1

What is the limbic system?

Answer 1

A subcortical structure in the brain (including the hypothalamus and amygdala) thought to be closely involved in regulating emotional behaviour including aggression.

Question 2

Strength: Research support for social learning theory
Poulin and Boivin (2000)

Answer 2

-Poulin and Boivin applied social learning analysis to aggressive behaviour in boys aged 9-12.
-They found that the most aggressive boys formed friendships with other aggressive boys, leading the researchers to describe such cliques as training grounds.
-These friendships were lasting, stable and mutually reinforcing of aggression and the boys used their alliances with eachother to gain resources through aggressive behaviour usually successfully.
-Therefore they were frequently exposed to models of physical aggression and to the positive consequences from it.
-They also gained reinforcement from the rewarding approval of the rest of the gang.
-There are practical benefits to understanding this aspect of social learning theory.
-It could help establish ways to reduce aggression and to break the cycle in which individuals become yet more aggressive by choosing situations which rewards their behaviour.
-Eg. Encouraging aggressive children to form friendships with children who do not habitually behave aggressively gives them more oppourtunities to model non-aggressive behaviour.