SLT

• Aggression can be learned through observation and imitation of a particular role model.
• Modelling

  When someones behaviour is influential on an individual, they are referred to as a model.
• Identification

  when an observer wants to be like the role model; can happen due to the same sex or having status or expertise.
• Vicarious reinforcement

  occurs when the role model is seen as being rewarded for acting aggressively. Indirect learning.
• Imitation

  • when the person copies the aggression seen in the role model
• Mediational processes - these are the processes that come between observing the behaviour and imitating it or not.

  Attention - extent to which we notice behaviours

  Retention - how well they are remembered

  Reproduction - whether the person is able to display the same behaviour

  Motivation - the will to perform aggressive behaviour is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished
• Bandura et al -

  supporting evidence

  • shows that aggression can be imitated by role models from interacting aggressively with a life sized inflatable bobo doll
  • also exposed to models that were not aggressive towards the doll and it was found that children who had observed aggression acted more aggressive than non aggressive childnre
  • a greater level of imitation with same sex role model
• BUT Bandura is limited because Bobo dolls themselves invoke aggression as they are designed to be hit and therefore the children were just doing what is expected of them. Furthermore, the findings may not be generalisable to adults as it was children aggression that was observed.
• Other explanations.

  • Neural and hormonal mechanisms.
• SLT can be used to explain cultural differences in aggression. For example, the !Kung San desert people are less likely to be aggressive due to the fact that their parents/same sex role models will have also frowned upon aggression.
• Gee and Leith analysed penalty records from ice hockey players in either North America or Europe. Researchers believed that players born in North America were more likely to have been exposed to aggressive role models and less likely to have been punished for aggression compared to players born in Europe. The researchers found that North American players were more likely to be penalised for aggressive play and fighting than players from other countries.