Social Learning Theory Flashcards
According to Bandura’s social learning theory, how is aggression learned through operant conditioning?
Aggression can be directly learned through operant conditioning, involving positive and negative reinforcement and punishment. Individuals learn that aggressive acts can be rewarded or punished, influencing the likelihood of future aggressive behaviour.
What is the role of observational learning in Bandura’s social learning theory?
Bandura proposed that aggression can be learned through observational learning. Children learn through imitation, internalizing and reproducing aggressive acts carried out by role models. If the observed aggression is rewarded, the child may perceive it as an effective way of achieving goals.
What are the five main cognitive factors that mediate control of aggressive behaviour, according to Bandura?
Bandura identified five cognitive factors that mediate control of aggressive behaviour: attention, retention, production, motivation, and self-efficacy.
These factors involve paying attention to the aggressor, remembering the behaviour, having the physical capabilities to reproduce it, expecting positive reinforcement, and having confidence in one’s ability to achieve positive outcomes.
How does Bandura emphasize the importance of family as role models in the development of aggressive behaviour?
Bandura believed that aggressive reinforcement through imitation of family members, especially parents, was a prominent source of behaviour modelling. Children observe and internalize behaviours modelled by their parents. For example, a child who witnesses aggression between parents is more likely to become an abusive parent and partner.
