Social Learning Theory proposes that aggression is learned through four processes: observational learning, imitation, direct experience, and modeling. According to the theory, children learn aggressive behavior through a sequence of observing aggression being rewarded in others, vicariously experiencing reinforcement, imitating aggressive acts, and eventually engaging in aggression with an expectation of reward due to strengthened self-efficacy from direct and vicarious reinforcement over time.

1. Social Learning Theory AO1
Bandura (1965) claimed that aggression is learned in our species. At the heart
of SLT there are four basic processes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
According to SLT there is a sequence through which children learn aggressive
behaviour:
Direct Reinforcement
Vicarious reinforcement
Imitation
Expectation of reward
Imitation
Developreinforcement
Direct high self-efficacy
Develop high self-efficacy
Vicarious Reinforcement
Child repeats the aggression
Observation
Expectation of reward

2. AO1
Source of Motivation Definition
Vicarious Reinforcement
Direct Reinforcement
Self-efficacy
AO2 Evaluation of the SLT of aggression
Alternative Approach! Nurture Vs Nature
McGue et al (1992)
Bandura (1961)
Phillips (1968)
Aronson (1999)