Social explanations of aggression

Question 1

According to the social learning theory…behaviour is learned through?

Answer 1

Observation and imitation of models

Question 2

Name the factors influencing observational learning of aggression

Answer 2

• Identification
• Vicarious reinforcement

Question 3

Name the 4 mediational processes needed for a person to imitate aggression

Answer 3

• attention
• memory
• reproduction
• motivation

Question 4

Outline the social learning theory explanation of aggression

Answer 4

Social Learning Theory states that we learn aggressive behaviour through observing models who are acting aggressively and then imitating them.

Our aggressive behaviour is often reinforced through observing a model being rewarded for their aggression. This is called vicarious reinforcement.