Social Learning Theory In relation to Aggression Aggression

Social Learning Theory In relation to Aggression

Aggression Aggressive behaviours can be learnt through: - Negative reinforcement Positive reinforcement Punishment Bandura thus theorised that it can also be learnt through observational learning, therefore the Social Learning Theory.

Social Learning Theory: Aggression ● Attention – A person must pay attention to an act of aggression carried out by a role model ○ ● e. g when a child engages in a violent computer game Retention – A person needs to store the aggression that they have witnessed in the LTM to later reproduce it ● Production – A person needs to be able to reproduce the behaviour ○ e. g aggression displayed by superheroes is less likely to be imitated as the person does not possess the physical capabilities to actually carry out the behaviour

Social Learning Theory: Aggression ● Motivation – An individual must be expecting to receive positive reinforcement for the modelled behaviour, which could either be materialistic or status-related ● Self-efficacy – Individuals must have confidence in their ability to carry out the action and that they will be rewarded for it

QUIZ 1. Who conducted the Bobo doll study? 2. What is vicarious reinforcement? 3. What is self efficacy? 4. What is meant by culturally relative? 5. Explain the process of SLT?

AO 3: Cultural Differences SLT as an explanation for aggression is supported by cultural differences. Aggression in the !Kung San people from Southern Africa is extremely rare. According to SLT this is because there are no role models that provide models for aggression, and aggressive behaviour is not rewarded in children. Therefore, there is no motivation for them to act aggressively.

AO 3: Reactive Aggression SLT can explain some forms of aggression but falls short in explaining reactive aggression, behaviour evoked by threat, provocation, or frustration. When aggression is carried out as a reaction to an external stimulus such as jealousy, pain or loneliness, this may be better explained by the frustration-aggression hypothesis (Dollard et al. )

AO 3: Defining Aggression Many studies into the area of aggression as a whole have different definitions of what constitutes aggression, e. g with some studies looking only at verbal aggression, not physical. In this way, there are flaws as there is no single definition that studies abide by, and therefore no consistency.

AO 3: Research Support Phillips’ research supports SLT as an explanation of aggression, as he found that homicides increased after well-publicized boxing matches. When white boxers lost, more white men were killed, and vice versa. However, there are potential methodological issues with this piece of research, as correlations do not mean causality, and extraneous variables might be at play.

AO 3: Research Support, cont. There also third variables that must be considered. Drinking usually increases at major sporting events of this nature and is encouraged with these events often being sponsored by beverage companies. Alcohol is linked with disinhibited behaviour which in some people it leads to acts of extreme violence.

AO 3: Case Study support SLT is supported by the James Bulger case, where a 2 -year-old boy was abducted, tortured and killed by two 10 -year-old boys. It was argued that the boys modeled behaviour they observed from their abusive family and from watching horror films. Another explanation for the aggression and violence was that the boys were left unsupervised when they were at school and their neighbour, a negative role model, was encouraging their behaviour.

AO 3: Case Study support, cont. This case had an impact on legislation. The boys were said to have imitated a scene in from a film in which a victim is splashed with blue paint. The case led to some new legislation for films, as viewing these were thought to be the cause of their aggression. However, there is another potential reason for their aggressive behaviour. Due to their young age, they hadn’t fully developed prefrontal cortical matter, which is associated with high functioning and impulse control.

AO 3: Case Study support, cont. The issue is socially sensitive: society is more comfortable with blaming a media product and the potential legislation that may follow than addressing issues of poverty, child supervision which are variables which are much more difficult to legislate against This is known as the fallacy of consequences.

Quiz 2. 0 What are the economic implications of SLT research into aggression? (4 marks)