Social learning theory (SLT) - Key study

Social learning theory (SLT) - Key study

1. learning occurs indirectily through observing others and imitating behaviour that are rewarded

2. Bandura (1961)

   • investigate whether if a child witnesses aggression if they imitate this behaviour
     • The children were observed in the nursery and judged on their aggressive behaviour and were matched on the basis of pre-existing aggressiveness.
       • An adult was placed in the corner of the room with a bobo doll. In the non-aggressive conditions the adult played with small toys
         • Many children found ways to use toys aggressively.
       • aggressive conditions the adult acted against the bobo doll
         • Children were more likely to act aggressive after witnessing aggression from the adult.
         • Children showed more aggression if the model was female in comparison to if the model was a male.
         • Children showed more aggression if the model was female in comparison to if the model was a male.

3. strengths

   • many acts of aggression eg murders were linked to violent and gruesome television shows
     • t’s at the back of our mind but we never really consciously think about it. So we may pick up some things from T.V shows and video games but may never actually think about it until something is triggered

4. weaknesses

   • many people today are exposed to all sorts of violence yet there isn’t a problem of mass terrorism everywhere around the globe each day
   • validity
     • population
     • ecological
   • controlled lab environment
     • lacks mundane realism
   • ethical concern
     • caused distress and could psychologically harm them.