Bandura Social Learning Theory

• 2 Strengths of Bandura

  Strength - Bobo doll experiment showed model had an effect on child's behaviour. Showed cause and effect.

  Strength - Study has been replicated with slight changes and similar results have been found.
• 2 Limitations of Bandura

  Limitation - Ethical issues due to exposing children to aggression with understanding they would imitate it. Issues concerning protection of children from harm.

  Limitation - Novelty aspect of the doll for children who hadn't played with it before. More likely to follow the adult.
• What does Bandura believe?

  People learn by watching the behaviour of others.

  If children watch adults gain pleasure from an activity or being punished for an activity, they will either repeat or reject those behaviours.
• Bandura belief about aggression


  Aggression can be learned from watching others behave in an aggressive manner.
• Bobo Doll Experiment


  Exposing children to 2 different adult models: an aggressive model and a non-aggressive one.

  Aggressive model - kicked the doll and hit it with a mallet and throw it in air. Children who were exposed to this copied the aggressive behaviour.

  Non-aggressive model - children demonstrated far less aggression towards the doll.
• What are violence and aggression produced by?

  An arousal event (provocation)

  Learned aggressive skills

  Expected success and rewards

  Pro-violence values
• Observational Learning


  Viewers learn behaviours from watching others and may imitate them
• Three contexts observational learning takes place

  In the family.

  Peers.

  Cultural symbols e.g. TVs and books.
• The murder of James Bulger

  Murdered by two ten-year old boys. They are said to have watched 'Child's Play 3' before the murder.

  Judge said: "I suspect exposure to violent video films may in part be an explanation."
• Sunderland et al. 1992

  People learn their values and techniques for criminal behaviour from associations with different people or differential associations.

  If more favourable attitudes about crime are learned rather than negatives, then people see criminal behaviour as acceptable.
• How do people learn methods of crimes? - Sutherland et. al


  From those around them e.g. theft or fraud.
• What does Sutherland's theory also account for?

  High reoffending rate of released prisoners in our country.

  In prison, criminals learn from those around them and become more versed in certain criminal techniques. Prisons known as "universities of crime".
• Osborne and West 1979


  Considered sons of criminal fathers and those of non-criminal fathers.

  Father had a criminal conviction, 40% of sons also had one by age of 18.

  Only 13% of sons where the father was not criminal had a criminal conviction.

  Not conclusive but consistent with genetic view of offending.