Social Learning Theory - Evaluations Flashcards
How did Bandura’s study (1963) contribute to understanding the role of social learning in aggressive behavior?
Bandura conducted a study with three experimental conditions involving a filmed aggressive role model, an aggressive cartoon character, and a real aggressive role model. Children aged 3-5 were matched for baseline aggression levels and allowed to play with a Bobo doll. The results showed that the cartoon model produced the highest mean number of aggressive acts, supporting the idea that viewing aggression led to the modeling of aggressive behavior.
How did Christianson’s (2006) study on the Kung San people challenge social learning theory’s universality?
Christianson studied the Kung San people in the Kalahari Desert and found that aggressive behavior was rare, with no physical punishment and no value placed on aggression. The absence of cultural norms for aggression challenged the universality of social learning theory. This study suggested that social learning theory in relation to aggression might be more applicable to Western cultures, indicating a potential issue of cultural bias.
What limitation of social learning theory is highlighted in the context of reactive aggression?
Social learning theory is considered limited in explaining reactive aggression, which is aggression in response to external stimuli such as jealousy, pain, or loneliness. Reactive aggression may be better explained by the frustration-aggression hypothesis rather than through observational learning, as proposed by social learning theory.
