Social Learning Theory Of Aggression Research

“In July, 1992, a 9-year-old boy shot and blinded his uncle’s cow. In response, his uncle swore to kill him. The family lived in northern Lebanon, where an oath of honor is regarded as irrevocable. To show He meant business, the uncle carried out his vow, slitting the throat of the boy in front of his parents. The boy’s brother and father retaliated using a Kalashnikov assault rifle, killing the uncle, his wife and their son (Durkin, 1995)”. The story cited above is one instance out of a million ways showing how aggressive behaviors are exhibited by humans in everyday life. Aggressive behaviors take form not only on television programs such as Movies, music videos (entertainment) or news reports but also in our everyday social transactions,

Imitation involves observing other people who pose as models carry out an aggressive action hence reproducing the action at will. Children who were the main focus, are said to learn aggression by observing their models either on movies, their parents, friends, role models amongst others then reproduce the learnt action. Bandura who studied how aggression is learned explained the major principles to explain the theory, one of which is observing others and imitating them. Bandura suggested that aggression is learned through Vicarious or indirect condition. This means that they learned not only by watching others being aggressive but also by the reinforcements (rewards or punishment) the individual receives for his actions (Gross, 2005). This is what dictates if they would repeat this action. If they are rewarded, there is a higher chance that the children will

It suggests that an aggressive action can only be repeated if the models or performers of the action are rewarded. On the other hand, if they are punished, they are less likely to repeat the action, showing that reinforcement (vicarious or operant) plays a vital role in the performance of a learned action. This supports Bandura’s hypothesis that aggression is learned and not innate. Other experiments have been carried out by psychologists such as Liebert and Baron (1972), Park et al (1977). Their findings are similar to that of bandura’s; Children who watch violent shows on TV are more aggressive than those who don’t (Gross, 2005). Although social theorists have tried to explain aggression, there is still more to be knowledge to be