What is meant by the term Aggression?

TaskIn your groups you are going to try and explain

the recent riots across England, using one of the psychological approaches you have studied: PsychodynamicBiological

With one of these explain the behaviour, and also assess the strengths and limitation of this explanation.

Feedback in 10minutes to the rest of the class.

Social Learning Theory (SLT)Social learning is learning through

observation, imitation and modelling or another person or role model.

Created by Albert BanduraIt is behaviourist, but does take into account thought processesTherefore it is also cognitive

Process of ModellingATTENTION.RETENTIONREPRODUCTIONMOTIVATION.

Remember ARRM.

ExampleJane dyes her hair pink because her

favourite celebrity has done so. First Jane paid attention to what the

celebrity had doneJane then retained this informationJane was capable of reproducing the

behaviour of dying her hairJane was motivated to dye her hair pink and

did so

Factors involved in SLTThe more similar the role model

is to the observer, the more likely that the behaviour will be imitatedSame genderSame age or older

Also, if the role model is seen in a positive lightHigh statusLikeable

Social Learning theory and AggressionBandura: aggression is learnt through the

observation of others.( Models)Vicarious learning is when we watch

others get rewarded or punished for behaviour, then we imitate the behaviour depending on the consequences.

Reciprocal determinism is when the individual and the environment interact and impact on each other shaping our behaviour.

Success of modellingModels are imitated depending on:

Consequences of models behaviourStatus, same sexPaying attentionEncouragement of behaviour.ConsistencyRelevance e.g. aggressive is viewed as a

male characteristic.Appropriate. Male aggressive models more

likely to be imitated.

Applying Social Learning Theory to Aggression

TASKUsing the three aspects of SLT (ARRM, factors

involved in SLT and vicarious learning) explain how children might become aggressive. Think about which models children might learn this behaviour from.

Support/CriticismsSupport for the SLT theory of Aggression

Limitations of SLT theory of aggression.

Banduras’ Bobo Doll experiment evidence

Feldman’s research using practical applications in Prisons to reduce aggressive behaviour.

Zimbardo’s Prison study. Guards internalised aggressive and abusive behaviour

Kaufman (1987) aggressive parents raise aggressive children who go onto to be aggressive towards their own children.

Modelling cannot explain all aggressive behaviour.

Fails to take into account Biology or cognitive factors such as decision making.

Based largely on lab studies

Determinist Bobo - doll designed for

play not real aggression.