Social learning theory AO3

• What is a strength of Social Learning Theory (SLT) as an explanation of human behavior?

  There is research to support this.
• What did Bandura's study involve regarding children's exposure to aggressive behavior?


  Half of the children were shown aggressive interactions, while the other half were shown non-aggressive interactions.
• What was the setting of Bandura's study after children observed the interactions?


  They were taken into a room filled with toys, including a Bobo doll.
• What did Bandura find regarding the behavior of children who observed aggressive models?


  They reproduced a good deal of physically and verbally aggressive behavior resembling that of the model.
• How did the behavior of children who observed non-aggressive models compare to those who observed aggressive models?


  Children who observed the non-aggressive model showed nearly no aggression.
• Why is Bandura's study significant in the context of aggression?


  It supports the idea that children learn aggression through observation and imitation.
• What further finding did Bandura discover regarding the imitation of behavior based on gender?


  Children were more likely to imitate the behavior of the adult of the same gender as them.
• What concept does the finding about gender imitation support in Bandura's study?


  It supports the feature of identification, where individuals imitate aggressive acts by a model who is similar to them.
• What conclusion can be drawn about the reliability of Social Learning Theory based on Bandura's findings?


  The theory is reliable.
• What is a weakness of the research supporting social learning theory as an explanation for human aggression?


  There were significant methodological problems.
• In Bandura’s famous study, what did the children observe?


  The adult model attacking a Bobo doll.
• Why is the Bobo doll not an ideal subject for studying aggression?


  Because it is not a living person and does not retaliate when hit.
• What question does the use of a Bobo doll raise regarding the studies on aggression?


  Whether these studies tell us much about the imitation of aggression towards other human beings.
• What does the lack of retaliation from the Bobo doll imply about the validity of the theory?


  It may lack validity as it is not measuring aggression with other humans.
• How did Bandura respond to the criticism regarding the use of the Bobo doll?


  By having children watch a film of an adult model hitting a live clown.
• What was the outcome when children watched the film of the adult model hitting a live clown?


  The children later imitated the same aggressive behaviors they had seen in the film.
• What does the imitation of aggressive behavior towards a live clown suggest about human aggression?


  It suggests that the imitation of aggressive behavior is also likely towards other human beings.
• What is a strength of Social Learning Theory (SLT) regarding aggressive behavior?


  It can explain inconsistencies in an individual’s use of aggressive behavior.
• How might a young male's aggressive behavior differ in social situations?


  A young male may behave aggressively with friends but not at school or work.
• Why is it significant that SLT explains differences in aggressive behavior across situations?


  It highlights how consequences of aggression vary in different contexts.
• What positive consequences might encourage aggressive behavior among friends?

  Positive consequences may include status and encouragement.
• How do the consequences of aggressive behavior differ between friends and school/work environments?


  Positive consequences for aggression are more likely among friends than at school or work.
• How can we predict aggression in a particular situation according to SLT?


  • By knowing the likely consequences of aggressive behavior in that situation.
  • Different contexts yield different consequences.
• What is a strength of Social Learning Theory (SLT) regarding aggression?


  It can explain cultural differences in aggression.
• How is aggression viewed among the !Kung San of the Kalahari Desert?


  Aggression is comparatively rare among the !Kung San.
• What child-rearing practices contribute to the rarity of aggression among the !Kung San?


  Parents neither reward nor punish children when they argue or fight.
• What do parents of the !Kung San do when children argue or fight?


  They physically separate them and try to distract their attention.
• How do adults in the !Kung San society view aggressive postures?


  They are avoided and devalued by the society as a whole.
• Why is the absence of reinforcement significant for !Kung San children regarding aggression?


  It means there is little opportunity or motivation to acquire aggressive behaviors.
• What conclusion can be drawn about SLT from the practices of the !Kung San regarding aggression?


  SLT can provide explanations for aggression in real life, which can be useful.