Evaluate sociocultural explanations of the origins of violence. Lynn

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1 Evaluate sociocultural explanations of the origins of violence Lynn

2 Evaluate: Assess the value by explaining strengths and limitations

3 Social Learning theory (1977) Bandura suggests that people learn to behave violently through direct experiences and through observing models

4 Cont. Social learning theory focuses on observational learning -The theory proposes that children learn to be violent due to exposure to violent models and because violent behavior is rewarded.

5 Bandura et al. (1961) Bobo doll experiment Bandura and Ross Aim: To see if children would imitate the aggression of an adult model and whether they would imitate same-sex models more than opposite sex models

Procedure -Participants were 36 boys and 36 girls from the Stanford University Nursery School who were divided into three 3 groups matched on levels of aggressiveness

6 Procedure -Participants were 36 boys and 36 girls from the Stanford University Nursery School who were divided into three 3 groups matched on levels of aggressiveness before the experiment -One group saw the adult model behave aggressively towards a bobo doll, one group saw the model assemble toys, and the last group served as control

7 Procedure Cont. -The children were further divided into groups so that some saw same-sex models and some opposite-sex models -In the lab, the model either played with the toys or behaved aggressively towards the bobo doll. After seeing this, the children were brought into a room with toys and told not to play with them in order to frustrate them. Then they were taken into a room with toys and a bobo doll where they were observed for 20 minutes

8 Results -Children who had seen an aggressive model were significantly more aggressive towards the bobo doll. They imitated the aggressive behavior of the model but also showed other forms of aggression -Children were also more likely to imitate same-sex models. Boys were more aggressive overall than girls -Aggressive behavior can be learned through observational learning

9 Evaluation The laboratory experiment is low in ecological validity. The aggression here is artificial and there may be demand characteristics. The children were very young and it has been criticized for ethical reasons.

10 Strengths of SLT in relation with violent behavior -Social norms of violence can be transmitted from parents to children as predicted by SLT -SLT can also explain that adolescents use violence in marginalized social peer groups because it pays off in the form of status

11 Limits of SLT in relation with violent behavior -SLT cannot explain how structural factors such as poverty contribute to establishing the social norms of male superiority -The theory does not take individual factors such as intelligence and personality into account -Some people may be more prone to violence

12 Social Identity Theory Person s sense of who they are based on their group membership Tajfel (1979) proposed that the groups which people belonged to were an important source of pride and self esteem.

Zimbardo s Stanford Prison Experiment (1971) Aim: Prove that situational factors can affect behavior Procedure: -simulation of a prison in Stanford university -randomly

13 Zimbardo s Stanford Prison Experiment (1971) Aim: Prove that situational factors can affect behavior Procedure: -simulation of a prison in Stanford university -randomly assigned 22 participants to become guards or prisoners -prisoners were arrested by real police by surprise -Guards were told not to use physical violence toward the prisoners

14 Cont. Independent variable: role (prisoner or group) Dependent variable: Behavior observed through direct observation, video, and audiotape

Results -After a while, guards started to show acts of empowerment, aggression, violence and a more confident attitude compared to the prisoners -Prisoners became passive, depressed,

15 Results -After a while, guards started to show acts of empowerment, aggression, violence and a more confident attitude compared to the prisoners -Prisoners became passive, depressed, anxious and also experienced loss of control over life -The environment influenced the guards to perform brutal and sadistic behavior -Social identity (role) can be the origin of violence

16 Strength of SIT -Creates norms and culture for people to adhere and belong to -Explains for intergroup favoritism, conformity, stereotyping, discrimination and violence

17 Limitations of SIT -Does not take into account of the interaction with situational factors -Personal identity in individuals with high self esteem may be stronger than group identity

18 Source 20Psych/IBcontent/Options/HumanRelationships/Rel9.htm 20Psych/IBcontent/Studies/Bandura.htm authtoken=1a604a2571d3c6b95d84bbf5c

*Taken from the old syllabus. The new (2019) syllabus may have changes.

*Taken from the old syllabus. The new (2019) syllabus may have changes. I was a student at an IB school in Australia for my senior schooling. One of the subjects I took was Psychology at Higher Level (HL), and I finished with a 7. I was also getting consistent 7s throughout