Social Learning Theory explanation of aggression

• • Bandura & Walters in early 1960's suggested that aggression is a learnt process, acquired through the observation of role models & then imitating them, especially role models we identify with.
  • Through this, we learn the specifics of aggression, eg what form it should take, when it should be enacted, the targets towards which it is directed etc.
• • We observe the consequences of aggressive behaviour & this will impact on the likelihood of reproducing that behaviour.
• • Vicarious reinforcement- occurs when we see aggression receive positive outcomes, eg increased status.
  • It makes it more likely that we will view aggression as appropriate & effective actions to reproduce.
• • Vicarious punishment- occurs when we see aggression receive negative outcomes, eg a prison sentence or social stigma.
  • It decreases the likelihood that we will imitate the aggression.
• Bandura said SLT had 4 mediational processes which determines whether aggression will be replicated:

  • Attention- to the model showing behaviour, more likely if we identify with the model in some way (age). Young males more influenced by boxing- aggressive sport.
  • Retention- of what you've witnessed (moves in boxing). Suggested that children may learn the 'script' for aggression, can become an aggressive pattern throughout life.
  • Reproduction- of what you've seen, may replicate behaviour later (lads using boxing moves in a fight).
  • Motivation- to show the behaviour again- can be affected by direct or vicarious consequences.
• Evaluation for SLT explanation for aggression- strength:

  • Research support from Bandura Bobo Doll experiment.
  • 72 child PPs- 3 conditions: 2 experimental- exposed to aggressive or non-aggressive role models & 1 no control- no role model.
  • Children put in room with Bobo Doll & rated on aggressiveness (observational study).
  • Children shown aggressive role model were far more likely to show aggression towards Bobo Doll.
  • Supports SLT as an explanation of aggression.
• Evaluation for SLT explanation for aggression- weakness:

  • Research into SLT & aggression from Bandura lacks realism.
  • Most research support using Bobo Dolls is not similar to real life, human-to-human aggression, as you would get a response from a human that would affect your behaviour towards them in some way.
  • This makes it difficult to generalise the results to real life- demand characteristics.
• Evaluation for SLT explanation for aggression- strength:

  • Real life research support has demonstrated SLT to explain aggression.
  • Gee & Leith (2007) analysed penalty records from 200 games in the NHL (national hockey).
  • they hypothesised that players who were born in North America were more likely to have been exposed to aggressive role models growing up compared to players born in Europe.
  • Analysis supported this as it showed most penalties for aggression were attributed to players born in North America.
  • This supports the predictions of the SLT.
• Evaluation for SLT explanation for aggression- strength:

  • SLT can explain inconsistencies in aggression, that is that someone can be aggressive in one situation and not in another.
  • For instance, a young man might act aggressively in front of his peers as the perceived consequences are that he will be rewarded via status/ encouragement whereas he would not act the same way in front of his parents, as the perception would be of punishment- in form of anger or disappointment.
  • This is a strength of the theory as it provides adequate explanation for this, where many theories do not.