Social Psychological explanations

Question 1

What are the two social psychological explanations of aggression?

Answer 1

Social Learning Theory and Deindividuation.

Question 2

What are the four stages of social learning theory?

Answer 2

Observation, retention, replication and motivation.

Question 3

What distinction does Bandura make regarding the stages?

Answer 3

There are cognitive aspects of social learning theory (attention, retention and motivation), and there are behavioural aspects (Replication).

Question 4

What are the three studies in support of social learning theory?

Answer 4

Bandura (1963), Robertson et al (2013) and Paik & Comstock (1994).

Question 5

Outline Bandura’s study and findings from 1963.

Answer 5

Children watched an adult act aggressively towards a doll, after which he was either rewarded, punished or nothing. The children who saw punishment were much less aggressive. There was little difference between the reward and ambivalence conditions.

Question 6

Outline Roberston et al’s study and findings from 2013.

Answer 6

A longitudinal study across 26 years. Young adults who spent more time watching TV during childhood and adolescence were significantly more likely to have a criminal conviction.

Question 7

Outline Paik & Comstock’s study and findings from 1994.

Answer 7

A meta-anylsis which found a strong effect size for the effect of TV violence on aggressive behaviours. It affects males and females equally.

Question 8

What is good about the research evidence in support of Social Learning Theory?

Answer 8

It was well triangulated:

Bandura (lab), Robertson (longitudinal), Paik & Comstock (meta-analysis).

Question 9

What are the two positive IDA points regarding Social Learning Theory?

Answer 9

Practical application.

Nature vs Nurture.

Question 10

What practical application does Social Learning Theory have for aggression and what study supports this?

Answer 10

Parents can reduce TV time in the hope that it will reduce aggression from their children. Robertson (2013).

Question 11

What is the positive Nature vs Nurture point for Social Learning Theory and aggression?
There is a real life example here which supports it.

Answer 11

High aggression pygmy tribes have been studied in Central Africa and have found no difference in aggression between males and females. This suggests aggression is not biologically based. It can be explained by Social Learning Theory.

Question 12

Give the definition of deindividuation.

Answer 12

Deindividuation is the process of decreased self-assessment and awareness that occurs when identification of an individual is difficult or impossible.

Question 13

Why does deindividuation occur?

Answer 13

It occurs due to individuals in a group no longer identifying as single entities but instead as one group.

Question 14

Why is anonymity important for deindividuation?

Answer 14

Anonymity encourages the neglect of societal norms, and thus more primitive urges are more likely to be acted upon.

Question 15

Give the two types of awareness and outline them.

Answer 15

1. Public Self-Awareness:
   A feeling of anonymity.
2. Private Self-Awareness:
   A loss of self-focus and identification with the group.

Question 16

What are the three studies in support for deindividuation?

Answer 16

Malamuth & Check (1981), Zimbardo (1969) and Watson (1973).

Question 17

Outline Malamuth & Check’s study and findings from 1981.

Answer 17

One third of male students questioned at a university admitted there was a chance they would commit rape if there was no chance of identification.

Question 18

Outline Zimbardo’s study and findings from 1969.

Answer 18

Completed a study similar to Milgram. Found a group who were hooded and unidentifiable gave greater degrees of shocks than those on their own and identifiable.

Question 19

Outline Watson’s study and findings from 1973.

Answer 19

Out of 13/23 societies that killed, tortured or mutilated, all but one significantly changed their appearances. Of the 10/23 who were less brutal, seven did not change their appearances.

Question 20

What is one problem with Watson’s 1973 study?

Answer 20

One culture observing another culture may lead to misinterpretation of actions. For instance, war paint on tribes could actually be an identifying feature.

Question 21

Give one critic of deindividuation and give a study which goes against the theory.

Answer 21

Postmes (2005) and Postmes and Spears (1998).

Question 22

What did Postmes say is 2005?

Answer 22

The theory is incorrect. Nurses and doctors wear outfits which may deindividuate them, yet they are the opposite of aggressive.

Question 23

Outline Postmes and Spears’ findings from 1998.

Answer 23

A meta-analysis of 60 studies which found there was insufficient evidence to support the deindividuation theory.

Question 24

What is a positive IDA point of Deindividuation theory? What study supports this (identify).

Answer 24

Practical application, Mann (1981).

Question 25

Give the positive practical application point of deindividuation theory and state how Mann (1981) supports it.

Answer 25

Mann (1981) found 10/21 suicides he studied reported baiting from members of the public. Most of these occurred in darkness. Police could avoid this through the use of search lights.