Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory

1. Observation

   • We learn aggressive behaviour through observation (vicarious reinforcement)
     • By observing the consequences they learn when the behavior is appropriate
       • E.g Bandura found that children who observed a model behaving aggressively later showed more aggression in their own play
     • Bobo doll sutdy: Bandura found that children who observed an adult behave aggressively towards a bobo doll were more likely to display the modelled aggreissive behaviour towards the doll
       • Especially if rewarded
       • The bobo doll study may lack validity because the children may have just been responding to demand characteristics.
         • Dolls were used not humans
           • Bandura did a study with a real human (clown) and found that children later copied observed behaviour
     • IDA: Real world application: Phillips, effects of USA major boxing matches and crime rates the following week
       • This explains cultural differences in aggression. Aggression is rare amongst the Kung San people, and this is because physical aggression is not rewarded

2. Mental Representation

   • For learning to take place, mental representation is required. The child must be motivated to do so. The child must expect positive reinforcement.
     • SLT also explains adult aggressive behaviour. Phillips found that homocide rates went up in america after a boxing match.

3. Production of behaviour

   • Maintenance through direct experience. An individual who is rewarded for their behaviour (i.e praised) is likely to repeat the aggressive behaviour. E.g. a successful bully who learns aggression against other people is likely to prodduce rewards.
     • Children must also develop confidence in executing aggressive behaviour succesfully. If they cannot then they resort to non violent ways of resolving conflict.
       • Ethical issues about researching into a topic like this. It is wrong to expose children to these types of aggressive behaviour knowing that they could reproduce it elsewhere. This raises concerns regarding protecting participants from harm