Aggression L7 Social Psychological Explanations - Social Learning Theory

Question 1

How did Bandura propose aggression is learnt?

Answer 1

• Proposed it is learnt through the indirect mechanism of observational learning
• SLT suggests children learn through imitation and aggressive acts carried out by a model will be replicated in the future
• If the model is rewarded a child can see this as an acceptable way of getting what they want and thus replicate the behaviour

Question 2

What are the Five main cognitive factors that mediate control of aggressive behaviours (mediational processes) according to Bandura?

Answer 2

• Attention
• Retention
• Motor Reproduction
• Motivation
• Self Efficacy

Question 3

What is self efficacy?

Answer 3

Must have confidence in their own ability to carry out the action and be rewarded for

Question 4

What models does Bandura think children learn aggression from?

Answer 4

• Bandura believes parents act as a prominent source of behaviour modelling, e.g if a boy watches his father be abusive is more likely to act as an abusive parent
• Bandura proposed that models in the media provide a source of vicarious reinforcement which can lead to replicated aggressive behaviour as they see the rewards

Question 5

What are Strengths of SLT in explaining aggression? (2)

Answer 5

• Bandura’s Research
• Helps reduce aggression

Question 6

Helps reduce aggression (+)

Answer 6

• SLT provides an understanding that children will carry out behaviours if they see rewards and identify with those carrying it out
• This allows us to reduce aggression by modelling behaviours from non aggressive role models that show non aggression reaps rewards
• Children are more likely to replicate this behaviour and avoid aggression

Question 7

• What are Weaknesses of SLT in explaining aggression? (3)

Answer 7

• Underestimates Biology
• Cultural Differences
• Does not Explain Reactive Aggression

Question 8

Does not Explain Reactive Aggression (-)

Answer 8

• SLT explains proactive aggression better, through the anticipation of a reward but when aggression is carried out spontaneously due to an external stimulus we may question SLT’s role
• This may cause one to opt for the F-A Hypothesis which suggests that aggression is caused by built up frustration rather than long term modelling

Question 9

Cultural Differences (-)

Answer 9

• Observed the Kung San people of the Kalahari Desert
• Found that parents do not use physical aggression as punishment as they see no value in such things, there is a cultural norm for kids not expressing aggressive actions
• Shows that SLT is more complex, may only apply to Western Cultures and not communities which actively discourage aggression

Question 10

Underestimates Biology (-)

Answer 10

• Argument that aggression is a very instinctual behaviour and thus is more affected by ones genes, neural and hormonal factors