Aggression - Social Learning Theory

Aggression - Social Learning Theory

1. Bandura, Ross & Ross: Transmission off agg through imitation.

   • Procedure: 36 boys & 36 girls aged 3-5 8 groups of 6, the others were controlled. Models were m & f, they performed agg & non agg beh towards a doll. After the C obs adults they went into a room for 20 min, given mallet, crayons etc. Experimenter rated beh.
     • Findings: Agg conditions: Phy & Verb agg, scores higher than controlled & non agg groups 70% of C in non agg/controlled had a score of 0 Boys & Girls more influenced by males
       • Conclusion: Obs beh can lead to imitative learning. They are more likely to imitate males, as they are seen to be more agg.

2. SLT is defined as learning beh controlled by enviro influences rather than by innate or internal factors.

3. Zimbardo et al 1973: D & agg in a simulated prison.

   • Procedure: Prison created in basement of a uni. 24 stable male participants. 1 Group = guards. 1 group = prisoners. G = khaki uniform and reflector glasses. P = Naked, loose smocks, ID number etc
     • Found: G created brutal atmosphere. P react passively as G became agg. P felt helpless & not in control of their life. Every G beh abusively, authoritative and enjoyed the power and control.
       • Lippa 1994: 'Both groups showed signs of D'

4. The theory suggest that agg, like other forms of beh is primarily learned. Humans are not born agg, but acquire agg beh in the same way as other social beh through direct exposure or by obs the actions of others.

5. Aggression is associated with a reward, like praise or increased self esteem, is likely to be learned.

6. Learning occurs indirectly as well through obs others. This is learning through vicarious experience.

7. Bandura believed that agg reinforced by family members was the most prominent source of beh modelling. But good levels of self-efficiency is required.

8. IDA

   • Nature Vs Nurture
     • Twin studies have shown a genetic factor in agg levels. McGue et al: found that +0.43 for Mz twins and +0.30 for Dz twins.

9. Applicability to Adults

   • Phillips: Found that daily homicide always inc in the week following a major boxing match - viewers imitating beh they'd watched. Shows SLT can occur in adults.

10. Role of Vicarious Learning

    • SLT can explain agg beh in the absence of direct reinforcement. Although Bandura et al 1963: P's behaved more agg after obs an agg model, at no point were the children directly rewarded for any action. The concept of vicarious learning is necessary to explain these findings.

11. The Role of Punishment

    • Bandura 1965: Repeated the study but after exposure, offered rewards to all the children for performing the models agg beh. All 3 groups performed similar number of imitative acts. Shows learning takes place regardless of reinforcements but that production of beh is related to selective reinforcements.

12. Evaluation

    • SLT does not account for the role of emotional factors in agg beh.
    • SLT can explain peoples level of agg varying between situations and in diff ways, diff situations. If agg was biologically determined, we would expect agg levels to be consistent across situations.
    • SLT successfully explains individual and cultural differences in agg as resulting from different learning exp.
    • Ethical Issues