Theories of Aggression, Essay Example

One of the theories presented is the Bandura’s theory that attempts to illustrate the trend of children copying aggressive behaviors from TV personalities who are perceived as role models or pop stars. The children might imitate certain behaviors including eating disorders and deviance on account that they appear in the media. The children are usually motivated by the perception of personalities and pop stars that are considered as role models. According to the Bandura’s theory, children are involved in passive absorption of certain behaviors followed by their imitation in absence of a logical consideration of the consequences (Julius, Benjamin & Benjamin, 2011). According to Bandura, the contribution of modeling as well as observing the attitudes, behaviors as well as emotional reactions of other people is important in important in the process of social learning (Edward, 1919). If learning was guided by individual actions of people, the learning could become a laborious and hazardous process. (Edward, 1919).

In practical life situations however, the situation that is being created by Bandura’s theory may not be a reflection of the behavior of the children. The response of the children may be based on demand characteristics associated with their participation in the study that they considered as special. The probable biological factors that influence the aggressive behaviors have also been accounted for. These factors include bio-chemical, genetic as well as neuro-anatomical factors. It is therefore postulated that, imitation of behavior could be governed by biological factors more than the psychological factors. In this regard, the mirror neurons are believed to contribute significantly in creation of knowledge concerning human aggression.

The basic premise behind Bandura’s theory is that people learn their behavior from their environment with observational learning process playing a crucial role (Julius, Benjamin & Benjamin, 2011). Human beings have been associated with active processors of information and have potentials of linking their behaviors to the consequences. The occurrence of observational learning is motivated by the functionality of cognitive processes.

Reference

Edward, A. R., (1919). Social Psychology: An outline and source book. New York: Macmillan Co.

Julius, S., Benjamin, B. F. & Benjamin, F., (2011 ). Aggression and World Order 1st edition A Critique of United Nations Theories of Aggression. The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd.