Aggression: Evaluating Social Learning Theory

These study notes follow on from the 'Aggression: Social Learning Theory' notes.

Albert Bandura undertook a number of studies in America that support the role of social learning in aggressive behaviour. One study (Bandura 1963) was conducted with three experimental conditions: in one condition there was a filmed aggressive role model, in another there was an aggressive role model that was a cartoon character, in the third condition there was a real aggressive role model. In addition, Bandura presented a control condition with no aggressive role model. Bandura undertook a matched pairs design where 96 children aged 3-5 were matched for baseline aggression levels. The children were then allowed to play with a toy called a Bobo doll, and then their aggressive actions were counted. The results demonstrated that the cartoon model produced the highest mean number of aggressive acts. Bandura concluded that the viewing of aggression was not cathartic, but led to the modelling of the aggressive behaviour, thus supporting the social psychological explanation of the social learning of aggression.

Christianson (2006) studied the Kung San people of the Kalahari Desert and found aggressive behaviour was very rare in this society. Kung San parents do not use physical punishment and there is no value placed on aggressive behaviour. So there are no cultural norms for aggression and children do not display aggressive behaviour. This study shows the case for social learning being complex, and questions whether social learning theory in relation to aggression may only be applied to western cultures. This demonstrates that an issue of cultural bias may be present in the explanation of social learning theory.

Social learning theory can explain some forms of aggression; however, reactive aggression is harder to explain with social learning theory. When aggression is carried out as a reaction to an external stimulus such as jealousy, pain or loneliness, this may be better explained by the frustration-aggression hypothesis rather than as a result of observational learning as proposed by social learning theory.

Exam hint: Avoid lengthy descriptions of research in exam answers. Bandura's research is important but it is essential to achieve the higher band marks to use more than Bandura's research in any evaluation of social learning theory.

For More Study Notes

To keep up-to-date with the tutor2u Psychology team, follow us on Twitter @tutor2uPsych, Facebook AQA / OCR / Edexcel / Student or subscribe to the Psychology Daily Digest and get new content delivered to your inbox!