Social learning theory as applied to human aggression
Social learning theory says people learn to be aggressive by watching others and copying them. A child who sees aggression rewarded is more likely to repeat that behaviour themselves.
Real World
Bandura's Bobo doll studies showed children who watched an adult punch and kick the doll were significantly more likely to replicate those exact behaviours — including novel verbal insults — demonstrating observational learning of aggression in a controlled setting.
Exam Focus
Include all four mediational processes (attention, retention, reproduction, motivation) in AO1; omitting motivation is the most common mark-losing error.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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