Social Learning As Applied To Human Agression

Question 1

What is the main suggestion of the social learning theory on aggression?

Answer 1

• SLT believes that aggression is learned from the environment through modelling behaviour of role models (observation and imitation)
• Humans are not born aggressive but instead learn aggression

Question 2

What cognitive meditational processes must occur in order to learn aggression from a role model?

Answer 2

• Attention: they must pay attention to the model in order for aggression to be learned
• Retention: Individuals must repeat the behaviour in order to retain it in their long term memory
• Reproduction: Individuals must have the physical and mental capacity to recall the information from the long term memory so they can produce aggression
• Motivation: people need an incentive to repeat the aggressive behaviour. Such as receiving reinforcement for their modelled behaviour.

Question 3

What factors make behaviour more likely to be learned according to SLT?

Answer 3

• A individual is more likely to model behaviour if the model has similar characteristics.
• Individuals with low self esteem are more likely to model behaviour
• Humans are more likely to learn behaviour from models if they are reinforced for their behaviours (Vicarious experiences)

Question 4

Aim, method, findings and conclusion Bandura, Ross and Ross?

Answer 4

Aim: To investigate if aggressive behaviour is learned through observation

Method:
-36 boys and 36 girls aged between 3-5 were divided into 8 experimental groups of six children

-The children were brought into the experimental room individually and were invited to play a game. There were a number of toys in the room. An adult model then entered the room and started assembling the toys

Conditions: 1st condition- same sex model ignored the bobo doll then left
2nd condition- Same sex model acted aggressively towards bobo doll then left
3rd condition - different sex model acted aggressively towards bobo doll then left
4th condition- different sex model ignored bobo doll and assorted toys then left

-They then recorded children’s behaviours after adult models left

Findings:

• children in aggressive condition displayed aggression towards the bobo doll such as kicking and hitting and those who weren’t didn’t show signs a of aggression
• Male children were also more aggressive than female children

Conclusion: Observation can lead to the learning and imitation of aggressive behaviours.

Question 5

AO3 for banduras research?

Answer 5

• ethics (informed consent/protection from harm)

- demand characteristics (bobo doll)

Question 6

AO3 for SLT overall

Answer 6

• Williams and Charlton :)
• Real life evidence, crime rates :)
• Reductionist :(

Question 7

Outline William and Charlton research

Answer 7

William found that verbal and physical aggression increased among children in a remote Canadian community increased after the introduction of TV.

Charlton found that children on an island in St Helena that aggression in children had remained stable after satellite TV was introduced which challenges the idea that people learn aggressive behaviours through observation of role models in the media.

Question 8

Outline real life evidence from bandura suggesting that SLT is learned

Answer 8

Bandura has reported that individuals who live in areas with high crime rates are more likely to act violently and aggressive than those in low crime rate areas which suggests that acts of violence in real life are likely to be observed and intimated. This obviously supports SLT