Aggression in A2 Psychology

Aggression in A2 Psychology

1. SOCIAL

   • SLT
     • Albert Bandura said that SLT is an extension to learning theory, not an alternative to it. He added that we learn not only through operant and classical conditioning, but also through observation.
       • Attention, Retention, Motor Reproduction, Motivation
     • EVIDENCE
       • Bandura's 1961 'Bobo Doll' Study
         • Found that children who had witnessed violent behaviour replicated a fair amount of behaviour, those who did not witness violent behaviour were not aggressive. A follow up study found that reward for aggressive behaviour caused even more replication- hence providing evidence for vicarious learning.
         • Low ecological validity, Potential Demand Characteristics, Ethics
     • Explains cultural differences
     • Vicarious learning can explain aggression without a need for direct reinforcement.
     • Can explain individual differences.
     • Not enough evidence to generalise to adults.
   • DEINDIVIDUATION
     • Zimbardo said that not all aggressive behaviour is between individuals. When in a large group, anonymous group people often behave in a more aggressive way than they normally would.
     • EVIDENCE
       • Diener's 1976 'Trick or Treat' Study

2. EVOLUTIONARY

3. BIOLOGICAL