Bandura: Children who were exposed to
aggressive role model were most aggressive
towards bobo doll. More likely to copy if they
witnessed model being rewarded.
Demonstrates cause and effect
Results affected by
demand characteristics
Irwin and Gross: aggression levels
increased in 7-8 year olds after they
played a violent video game. Girls and the
youngest children were most aggressive.
Cannot explain why some more
aggressive than others
Phillips: daily homicide rate in
the USA increased during major
boxing events.
Correlational
research
AO1
Observational learning: witnessing and
imitating behaviour of aggressive role model.
Likelihood of the individual copying the
aggressive behaviour increases if they witness
the aggressive role model being rewarded.
Direct reinforcement:
individual achieves desired
outcome by behaving
aggressively so now know
to repeat this in future to
get what they want.
AO2
Research has practical value -
explains why domestic abuse
sometimes runs in families
Accounts for individual
differences within cultures
Cultural differences - Kung San Tribe
Reductionist
Nature vs. Nurture
DEINDIVIDUATION THEORY
AO1
Deindividuation: loss of a sense of personal
identity that can occur when we are, for
example, in a crowd or are anonymous
Reduced public and private self-awareness
can lead to aggression because our self
assessment is altered
Studies
Zimbardo: guards and prisoners both deindividuated
by use of clothing, numbering participants and
pseudonyms led to an increase in aggression