Social Learning Theory as an explanation for aggression

Social Learning Theory as an explanation for aggression

1. AO1 - Observation: children learn aggressive behaviour through watching role models and then imitating their behaviour.

2. AO1 - Vicarious reinforcement: children learn the consequences of aggressive behaviour by watching role models being rewarded or punished. By learning the consequences of aggressive behaviour, the child learns what is considered appropriate and what is not.

3. AO1 - Mental representation: Bandura claimed that in order for social learning to take place, the child must form mental representations of events in their social environment. Children learn when and how to be aggressive from those around them. They internalise these scripts and follow them throughout their lives.

4. AO1 - Maintenance through direct experience: rewards reinforce behaviour. If a child successfully bullies another child then the rewards they get in return mean they are likely to repeat aggressive behaviour.

5. AO1 - Self-efficacy expectancies: Self efficacy is the extent to which we believe our actions will achieve a desired goal. A child's confidence in their ability to be aggressive grows as they learn that aggression brings rewards. E.g. if a child regularly hits other children to get hold of a toy, their self efficacy develops with each outcome so they become confident that aggressive behaviour will always be successful.

6. EVALUATION

   • AO3 - Bandura et al (1961): Found that children in the aggressive condition reproduced a lot of the aggressive behaviour they had seen the adult model carry out. Children in the non-aggressive group showed no aggression.
   • AO3 - lack of realism: Methodological issues such as the bobo dolls not being a living person and so being unable to hit back raise questions about whether the study shows us much about the imitation of aggressive behaviour towards other people. If there is a risk of being hit back, aggressive behaviour may not be imitated as much.
   • AO3 - explaining inconsistencies in aggressive behaviour: SLT explains that the consequences of acting aggressively are different in different situations, based on the consequences in any given situation.
   • AO3 - cultural differences in aggression: The !Kung San of the Kalahari desert are very rarely aggressive due to their child rearing practices. Children are distracted rather than punished when being aggressive and aggression is avoided and viewed as unacceptable by adults. The absence of direct reinforcement and aggressive role models means there is little opportunity for children to develop aggressive behaviours.