Outline and Evaluate the Social Learning Theory as an Explanation of Aggression

Outline and evaluate the social learning theory as an explanation of aggression

The social learning theory suggests that we learn behaviour via observation of others. According to Bandura, who first proposed the social learning theory as a means to explain how behaviour is learned indirectly, aggressive behaviour is learned through vicarious reinforcement, observational learning and imitation. A child may learn a behaviour through indirect/vicarious reinforcement, for example, a child may observe a behaviour, he or she will examine the rewards and consequences and based of this will decide whether or not to copy that behaviour.

There are four components involved with observational learning. (1) Attention, behaviour must be observed. (2) Retention, behaviour must be coded and recalled by placing it into the LTM. (3) Production, the individual must be capable of reproducing the model’s behaviour and (4) motivation, the individual will expect to receive positive reinforcements for modelled behaviour, this helps to motivate their behaviour.

Social learning theorist place great emphasis on the role of rewards/reinforcment for imitating aggressive behaviour. If a child is rewarded for behaviour, he or she is likely to repeat the same action in similar situations in the future e.g. Children who have a successful history of bullying other children will continue to behave aggressively.         

Individuals are more likely to imitate modelled behaviour if it (a)results in outcomes that are valued, (b) the model is similar to the observer, (c) the model is charismatic and admired, (d) the task to be imitated is neither too easy nor too difficult and (e) the individual has low-esteem or are unconfident in their abilities.

One strength of the social learning theory is that is explains why children behave aggressively due to indirect influences. Bandura et al demonstrated this in the ‘bobo doll’ study. Their aim was to see whether children would imitate aggressive behaviour modelled by an adult. They demonstrated that children can learn via the teaching effect whereby the behaviour is learned vicariously, and the motivating effect – the impact the consequence has on the aggressive behaviour. Bandura et al found that the children in the aggressive model condition made more aggressive responses than the children in the non-aggressive model condition. The findings from this study supported the social learning theory; children learn social behaviour (such as aggression) through the process of observational learning. Viewing aggression by adult models produces imitative aggression. This suggests that there is wider credibility for the notion that the media has an influential role in the social development of children. Huesmann found that children use TV models to direct their own actions, aggressive acts are then used to guide behaviour in situations perceived appropriate.