PSYC 360 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Experimental Literature, Social Learning Theory
Document Summary
Social learning theory - the idea that we learn social behavior (e. g. , aggression) by observing others and imitating them. Social learning - we learn aggression by observing others and imitating them. Iv= children observed the behavior of an adult. Children imitated the aggressive adults: treated the doll in an abusive way. Children in a control condition: almost never showed aggression. Most research indicates it increases aggression, angry and hostile thoughts. The research is not consistent, however, and two reviews of the experimental literature found minimal or no effects. Even stronger influence on aggression than simply watching aggression. Games that directly reward violence are especially likely to increase feelings of hostility, aggressive thoughts, and aggressive acts: by awarding points or moving the player to the next level after a kill . Exposure to media violence: increases physiological arousal and excitement, triggers tendency to imitate violent characters, primes aggressive ideas and expectations, social scripts.
