Social Learning Theory of Aggression Flashcards
outline SLT of aggression
- introduction
Social learning theory (SLT) is a learning approach to explaining behaviour and has its origins in behaviourism.
It therefore believes that environmental influences, not genetics, underpin aggressive behaviour.
outline SLT of aggression
- imitation/vicarious reinforcement
SLT states that aggressive behaviour is learned through observing aggression from a role model and then imitating it.
SLT also suggests that aggressive behaviour is more likely to be repeated if an individual observes somebody else being positively reinforced (rewarded) for their aggression.
When we see somebody else being rewarded, this is called vicarious reinforcement.
An example of this would be someone observing a playground bully using threatening behaviour to get money from another student.
The aggression has rewarded the bully with money, so the observer might then imitate this behaviour in the future, in the hope they will get the reward too.
outline SLT of aggression
- Bandura/mediational processes
Bandura argued that mental processes were involved in learning
aggression called ‘mediational processes’ which explain that, for aggression to be imitated, there must be:
• Attention (whether we notice the aggressive behaviour)
• Retention (how well the aggressive behaviour is remembered)
• Reproduction (the observer’s ability to perform the aggression)
• Motivation (the will to perform the aggression)
outline SLT of aggression
- self efficacy
In imitating aggression, children also develop confidence in their ability to carry out aggressive acts.
If a child’s aggression is successful, they have more confidence.
This is called a higher sense of self-efficacy in their ability to use aggression to resolve conflicts and may therefore turn to aggression to resolve conflict in the future.
Self-efficacy can be defined as the belief that you can be successful when carrying out a certain task.
evaluate SLT of aggression
- STRENGTHS
evaluate SLT of aggression
- LIMITATIONS
P) fail to account for the role of biological factors in aggression
E) eg, it is possible that aggressive behaviour may be, at least in part, genetic. Brunner (1993): defective MAOA gene in a Dutch family with a history of male violence.
E) testosterone has been shown play an important role in determining aggressive behaviour.
L) social psychological explanations of aggression may be limited in the number of aggressive behaviours they can successfully explain on their own and other approaches may be needed to explain all cases of aggression.
P) suffers from androcentrism/gender bias
E) social psychological theories of aggression struggle to explain the higher level of aggression and violent crime in males.
E) eg although testosterone can explain higher levels of aggression in males as it is produced far more in men, it is unclear why males would be more affected by the SLT of aggression
L) other explanations may be required to explain gender differences in aggression.
