social learning theory Flashcards
How does social learning theory explain the learning of aggression? (2)
Social learning theory states that children learn through a process of imitation.
Aggressive acts carried out by a role model are internalized by the individual and reproduced in the future.
What is vicarious reinforcement in the context of aggression? (2)
Vicarious reinforcement occurs when a child observes a role model being rewarded for aggressive behavior.
As a result, the child learns that aggression is an effective way to achieve what they want, and the behavior is seen as acceptable.
What must be formed for SLT to take place in the context of aggression? (1)
Mental representations
When will the child display aggressive behaviour according to SLT? (1)
When the expectation of the reward outweighs the cost
What is a cognitive schema in aggression? (1)
Scripts and rules that children learn about when and how to be aggression which become internalised
What are the five cognitive factors proposed by Bandura that mediate control of aggressive behavior? (5)
Attention – The child must pay attention to the aggressive act.
Retention – The child must remember the aggression they witnessed.
Production – The child must be physically capable of reproducing the aggressive behavior.
Motivation – The child must expect to receive positive reinforcement for the aggressive behavior.
Self-efficacy – The child must believe they can successfully carry out the behavior and be rewarded for it.
How does attention play a role in learning aggressive behavior? (1)
A child must pay attention to the aggression carried out by a role model, such as when watching a violent film or playing a violent video game.
Why is retention important in learning aggressive behavior? (1)
Retention is important because the child needs to store the witnessed aggression in long-term memory (LTM) to retrieve and model it later.
What does production mean in the context of aggression? (1)
Production refers to the child’s ability to physically reproduce the aggressive behavior, which depends on the child having the physical capabilities to carry it out.
Why is motivation necessary for aggression to be modeled? (1)
Motivation is necessary because the child must expect some form of positive reinforcement for performing the aggressive behavior, such as higher status among peers.
What is self-efficacy and why is it important for aggression? (2)
Self-efficacy refers to the child’s confidence in their ability to carry out aggressive actions.
A child must believe that their aggressive behavior will lead to a positive outcome for them to attempt it.
What did Bandura believe was the most prominent source of behavior modeling? (1)
Bandura believed that aggressive reinforcement through imitation of family members was the most prominent source of behavior modeling.
How do parents influence a child’s aggression according to Bandura? (2)
Parents are primary role models for children, and through observation and identification, children model their parents’ behavior.
A child who observes aggression in the home, like a boy watching his father attack his mother, is more likely to become an abusive parent and spouse.
How can media role models influence a child’s aggression? (2)
Role models in the media can provide vicarious reinforcement that leads to aggression being replicated.
These role models can give children a “script” that guides their behavior.
What was the aim of the Bobo Doll Study? (1)
The aim was to explore whether children would imitate aggressive behavior observed in adults and if they would be influenced by seeing a role model being rewarded or punished for aggressive actions.
What was the method used in the Bobo Doll Study? (3)
Children were shown a video or live demonstration where an adult either acted aggressively or non-aggressively toward a Bobo doll (a large inflatable clown doll).
After the demonstration, the children were left in a room with the same Bobo doll and other toys to see if they would imitate the behavior.
Some children saw the aggressive model being punished, while others saw the model being rewarded for their behavior.
How were the children divided in the Bobo Doll Study? (1)
The children were divided into different groups based on the type of role model they observed: aggressive role model, non-aggressive role model, or no role model at all.
What were the main findings of the Bobo Doll Study? (4)
Children who observed the aggressive role model were more likely to imitate the aggressive behavior themselves.
Children who saw the non-aggressive model were less likely to show aggression.
Children who saw the aggressive model being rewarded were more likely to imitate the aggressive actions.
Children who saw the aggressive model being punished were less likely to imitate the aggression.
What does the Bobo Doll Study suggest about observational learning? (2)
The study suggests that children can learn aggressive behavior through observation and imitation of role models.
It also shows that the consequences (reinforcement or punishment) observed by children influence whether they will imitate the behavior.
What role did reinforcement play in the Bobo Doll Study? (2)
The study found that children were more likely to imitate aggressive behavior if the model was rewarded for the aggression (vicarious reinforcement).
However, when the aggressive model was punished, children were less likely to imitate the behavior.
What were the strengths of the Bobo Doll Study? (2)
The study provided strong empirical evidence supporting the idea of observational learning.
It demonstrated how children could imitate behaviors, providing insight into how aggression can be learned socially.
What were the limitations of the Bobo Doll Study? (2)
The study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting, which may not reflect real-life situations.
The sample was small and consisted mainly of children from a similar socioeconomic background, limiting the generalizability of the results.
What opposing evidence challenges the Social Learning Theory of aggression? (2)
Coccaro et al. (1997) study challenges SLT by suggesting aggression may have a genetic basis.
The study found that monozygotic twins were more likely to show similar aggressive behaviors compared to dizygotic twins, indicating a hereditary component to aggression.
How does the diathesis-stress model explain aggression differently from the Social Learning Theory? (3)
The Diathesis-Stress Model suggests that aggression is the result of an interaction between genetic predispositions (diathesis) and environmental triggers (stress).
A person may have a genetic vulnerability to aggression, but aggression will only emerge if exposed to certain stressors or environmental influences.
This model explains why aggression is not inevitable, as it requires both biological predispositions and external factors to manifest.
What is the role of the amygdala in aggression, and how does it relate to the diathesis-stress model? (3)
The amygdala is a brain structure involved in emotional responses, including fear and aggression.
In individuals with a genetic predisposition for aggression, the amygdala may be hyperactive, making them more prone to aggressive reactions.
The diathesis-stress model suggests that this biological vulnerability to aggression is triggered by environmental stressors (such as bullying or abuse), leading to the expression of aggressive behavior in response to these external factors.
How has the Social Learning Theory of aggression been applied in real life? (2)
The Social Learning Theory has been applied in media regulation, leading to restrictions on violent content in films, TV shows, and video games.
Policies like age ratings for violent media aim to reduce children’s exposure to aggressive role models, based on SLT’s idea that children may imitate aggressive behaviors they observe.
How does the frustration-aggression hypothesis differ from the Social Learning Theory in explaining aggression? (3)
The frustration-aggression hypothesis explains aggression as a response to frustration when individuals are blocked from achieving their goals.
It focuses on internal emotional states, such as frustration, loneliness, jealousy, and pain, rather than observational learning.
This contrasts with SLT, which emphasizes aggression being learned through social observation and vicarious reinforcement from role models.
How can the Social Learning Theory of aggression explain cultural differences in aggression? (3)
The Social Learning Theory (SLT) suggests that aggression is learned through observational learning and vicarious reinforcement, which can vary across cultures.
In cultures where aggression is rewarded or seen as an effective way to achieve goals, individuals may be more likely to model aggressive behavior.
Conversely, in cultures where non-aggressive behaviors are valued and modeled, aggression may be less prevalent, as individuals learn to imitate peaceful behaviors from role models.
How does the !Kung San society provide an example of cultural differences in aggression? (3)
The !Kung San people of southern Africa are known for their peaceful nature and low levels of aggression.
They practice extensive socialization to encourage cooperation rather than aggressive behavior, and aggression is discouraged.
Role models in the society demonstrate non-violent conflict resolution, leading to a cultural norm where aggression is not typically imitated by children, supporting the idea that aggression can be socially learned and shaped by the culture.
