
Social learning theorists propose that behaviour, such as aggression is learnt through observation, imitation and behaviour shaping. This behaviour is learnt automatically through observation of male and female
role models, for example parents, peers and media characters. Whether or not this behaviour is imitated depends on the type of reinforcement that the
role model receives. Vicarious reinforcement involves the outcome of a
role models behaviour, for example if a child observes a parent acting aggressively and receiving positive rewards for they are more like to be imitate this behaviour in the future, than they would be if the
role model received negative feedback. A study that investigates reinforcement and the Social Learning Theory is Bandura?s BoBo Doll Experiment. Bandura exposed children aged three and six, to either an aggressive
model of the same or opposite sex or a non-aggressive
model of the same or opposite sex. Where the
model was non-aggressive, the
model just played with the toys and ignored the BoBo Doll. The aggressive
model however showed aggression towards the BoBo Doll, by punching it at the same time as being verbally aggressive towards it.