Outline and evaluate one or more social explanation of aggression
Outline and evaluate one or more social psychological theories of aggression (8+16 marks)
One social psychological theory of aggression is Bandura’s social learning theory, in which he combines both social and cognitive psychology in his social cognitive perspective of human behaviour. Bandura believed that behaviour was not only motivated by psychological factors but also by more socio-environmental factors. He argued that the individual and the environment were linked, something which he called reciprocal determinism. Bandura believed that the presence of a role model from whom behaviour could be imitated was the key part of the social learning theory, and that this role model would either be similar to the person imitating the behaviour (e.g. same age or gender) or is in a position of power (e.g. celebrities or parents). Despite this the individual imitating the behaviour still needs to have a level of self confidence in order to imitate, which Bandura referred to as self-efficacy.
Bandura et al conducted a study in order to support his theory, the well known Bobo doll study. In the study 72 child participants were used. There were an equal number of boys and girls throughout. Half of the participants in the experimental group were exposed to an aggressive role model and the other half a passive role model. Within the aggressive group half would view the same sex role model act aggressive towards a Bobo doll and the other half an opposite sex role model doing the same. This balance was also used in the non-aggressive group. The control group of 24 participants went through the same process but did not see a role model interact with the Bobo doll. Before making the observations Bandura interviewed the teachers of the participants to rate them in regards to aggressiveness, which provided Bandura with comparisons in behaviour. The children then entered a room with an experimenter and a role model and observed different interactions towards the Bobo doll
One social psychological theory of aggression is Bandura’s social learning theory, in which he combines both social and cognitive psychology in his social cognitive perspective of human behaviour. Bandura believed that behaviour was not only motivated by psychological factors but also by more socio-environmental factors. He argued that the individual and the environment were linked, something which he called reciprocal determinism. Bandura believed that the presence of a role model from whom behaviour could be imitated was the key part of the social learning theory, and that this role model would either be similar to the person imitating the behaviour (e.g. same age or gender) or is in a position of power (e.g. celebrities or parents). Despite this the individual imitating the behaviour still needs to have a level of self confidence in order to imitate, which Bandura referred to as self-efficacy.
Bandura et al conducted a study in order to support his theory, the well known Bobo doll study. In the study 72 child participants were used. There were an equal number of boys and girls throughout. Half of the participants in the experimental group were exposed to an aggressive role model and the other half a passive role model. Within the aggressive group half would view the same sex role model act aggressive towards a Bobo doll and the other half an opposite sex role model doing the same. This balance was also used in the non-aggressive group. The control group of 24 participants went through the same process but did not see a role model interact with the Bobo doll. Before making the observations Bandura interviewed the teachers of the participants to rate them in regards to aggressiveness, which provided Bandura with comparisons in behaviour. The children then entered a room with an experimenter and a role model and observed different interactions towards the Bobo doll