Aggression Social Learning Theory

Bandura: Believed aggression could not be explained using learning theory, so SLT was devised. The theory suggests we learn by also observing others. In regards to aggressive behaviour we learn its forms, how it;s enacted etc. The theory does not suggest that biological factors are ignored, but rather a persons biological make up creates a potential for aggression and it is the actual expression of aggression that is learned.

Children learn primarily through observation, watching role models and repeating their behaviour. Children also learn the consequences of aggressive behaviour through *vicarious reinforcement.* They witness aggressive behaviour everywhere, school, tv etc. By observing the consequences if such behaviour, the child learns what is considered appropriate.

Bandura: Claimed that in order for social learning to take place this child must represent possible possible rewards and punishments for their behaviour in terms of expectations and future outcomes. When the chance to conduct such behaviour arises, the child will likely display the learned behaviour if the reward is greater than the expected punishment.

If a child is rewarded for behaviour, he or she is likely to repeat the same action in similar situations in the future. A child who has a history of successfully bullying other children will attach value to aggression because of this.

In the bobo doll study, Badnura questioned whether the punishment prevented the behaviour, or the learning. Recreated study where rewards were offered to all who performed aggressively.

Found that learning does take place regardless of reinforcement but production is related to selective reinforcements.

These studies are applicable to children, but how about adults? Philips: found that daily homocide rates increased after a major boxing match, suggesting that behaviour was being imitated by adults, meaning social learning is evident in both adults and children.

A strength of SLT is that unlike operant conditioning, it can explain aggressive behaviour in the absence of direct reinforcement. Although Bandura's participants behaved more aggressively after observing an aggressive model, at no point were the children directly rewarded for any action. Consequently, the concept of vicarious learning is necessary to explain these findings.

It is possible that the children were aware of what was expected of them, there were reports of one child satin "look mummy, there's the doll we have to hit" Bandura responded to this with by showing children fil of a women beating up a clown, the children procded to beat him up all the same.