Social Psychological Theories of Aggression

Social Psychological Theories of Aggression

1. SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

   • Studies
     • Bandura: Children who were exposed to aggressive role model were most aggressive towards bobo doll. More likely to copy if they witnessed model being rewarded.
       • Demonstrates cause and effect
       • Results affected by demand characteristics
     • Irwin and Gross: aggression levels increased in 7-8 year olds after they played a violent video game. Girls and the youngest children were most aggressive.
       • Cannot explain why some more aggressive than others
     • Phillips: daily homicide rate in the USA increased during major boxing events.
       • Correlational research
   • AO1
     • Observational learning: witnessing and imitating behaviour of aggressive role model.
     • Likelihood of the individual copying the aggressive behaviour increases if they witness the aggressive role model being rewarded.
     • Direct reinforcement: individual achieves desired outcome by behaving aggressively so now know to repeat this in future to get what they want.
   • AO2
     • Research has practical value - explains why domestic abuse sometimes runs in families
     • Accounts for individual differences within cultures
     • Cultural differences - Kung San Tribe
     • Reductionist
     • Nature vs. Nurture

2. DEINDIVIDUATION THEORY

   • AO1
     • Deindividuation: loss of a sense of personal identity that can occur when we are, for example, in a crowd or are anonymous
     • Reduced public and private self-awareness can lead to aggression because our self assessment is altered
   • Studies
     • Zimbardo: guards and prisoners both deindividuated by use of clothing, numbering participants and pseudonyms led to an increase in aggression
       • Ethical issues
       • Unrepresentative sample
   • AO2
     • Free will vs. Determinism
     • Research has practical value - CCTV