Social Learning Theory

Question 1

Bandura’s two ways of learning aggression

Answer 1

Direct - action is rewarded or punished (operant)

Vicarious - learn through observing other people’s behaviour (classical)

Question 2

Why is reinforcement a factor in a persons aggressive behaviour?

Answer 2

Because for behaviour (aggression) to be imitated it must be reinforced/rewarding

Question 3

What 4 things determine if a person carries out aggressive behaviour?

Answer 3

1. Previous experience
2. Was last experience rewarded or punished?
3. Current likelihood of reward or punishment
4. Social, cognitive and environmental factors e.g. Heat

Question 4

What is mental representation?

Answer 4

A child must be able to anticipate the outcome of their behaviour

Question 5

Cost benefit analysis

Answer 5

Will carry out aggressive behaviour if the perceived reward outweighs the perceived cost

Question 6

Reciprocal determinism

Answer 6

The aggressive behaviour is an inherent psychological factor brought out by the social environment

Question 7

Bandura 1961

Answer 7

Boys and girls aged 3-5 saw one of two conditions:
1. Adult with bobo doll
2. Adult with bobo doll
Children ‘frustrated’ in a room not allowed to play with toys then put in room with bobo doll
Group 1:
reproduced physical and verbal aggression
1/3 repeated verbal exactly
Boys more physically aggressive
Group 2:
Acted passively with the doll

Question 8

Bandura 1963

Answer 8

3 groups watched an adult act  with bobo doll. 3 different consequences:
1. Control. No action taken. 
2. Model was rewarded (7up and )
3. Model was punished (told off) 
Then put in with bobo. 
1&2 spontaneous acts of aggression 
2 most aggressive 
3 became aggressive when offered

Question 9

Ethics of Bandura studies

Answer 9

Psychological harm - aggression was not unlearned
Informed consent - videos put on YouTube
Demand characteristics - advertised as a doll to hit

Question 10

What out rules demand characteristics in Banduras bobo doll studies?

Answer 10

Carried out the studies with a live clown and found the same results

Question 11

Phillips 1986

Answer 11

Homicide rates increased after a major boxing match

Question 12

¡Kung San!

Answer 12

Any child that shows aggressive behaviour is isolated and discouraged. There is a total lack of aggression in this culture.

Question 13

IDAs

Answer 13

Nature/nurture - no biology