Social Learning Theory and Conflict: What Do Bandura’s Dolls Tell Us?
- Tunç Karaçay
- Mar 28
- 6 min read
In psychology, learning processes play a significant role in understanding human behavior, and numerous experimental studies have been conducted in this field. Learning is fundamentally an experience-based process, and this process is shaped by measurable outcomes that lead to behavioral change.
Throughout the history of psychology, many approaches have emerged, focusing on different dimensions of learning processes: classical and operant conditioning, biological learning, and more. Each of these approaches has made significant contributions to shedding light on specific aspects of human learning.
In this article, we will focus on a process of “observational learning,” where the learner learns without being exposed to punishment or rewards. Within this framework, we aim to present a perspective within the social learning theory that suggests even conflicts can be learned. Essentially, answering the question, “How are conflictive discourses or behaviors related to social learning?” will help us understand the role of learning in conflict resolution processes.
Bandura’s Dolls and Social Learning
Before delving into how the relationship between conflict and observational learning works, it would be beneficial to briefly introduce the social learning theory and one of its most famous experiments, Albert Bandura’s Bobo Doll experiment.
Let’s start by defining the social learning theory. Social learning theory is primarily based on observational learning, meaning individuals shape their behavior by observing others' actions and the consequences of those actions. Developed by Albert Bandura, this theory argues that individuals can learn not only through direct experiences but also by observing modeled behaviors from their environment. This theory asserts that a learner can learn without directly encountering rewards or punishments. That is, a person may decide to either engage in or refrain from a behavior simply by observing another person being rewarded or punished for that behavior. This is how the process of observational learning unfolds.
To better understand the impact of social learning theory on observational learning, it would be helpful to look at Albert Bandura’s famous Bobo Doll experiment.
Generally, the aim of this experiment is to highlight the effects of an adult's behavior on children. This experiment clearly shows how individuals can learn aggressive behaviors simply by observing others and how they internalize the consequences of those behaviors.
The experiment consists of three main phases: observation, provocation, and observation.
In the first phase (observation), the children are divided into three groups. The first group observes an adult aggressively hitting and insulting the Bobo Doll. The second group watches a calm adult peacefully play with toys. The third group does not observe any adult model.
In the second phase (provocation), all children are taken to another room filled with toys. However, to create frustration, the toys are taken away from them after a short time, and they are told, "These toys are not for you." This situation is a strategy to create anger in the children.
In the final phase (observation), the children are allowed into a free playroom. In this room, alongside various toys, the Bobo Doll is also present. The children who observed the aggressive model directly attack the Bobo Doll, imitating the model's actions. The children who observed the calm model engage with the other toys and do not display aggressive behaviors. The children in the last group, who did not observe an aggressive model, show minimal aggression toward the Bobo Doll.
As a result, this experiment clearly demonstrates that children can develop aggressive or calm behaviors by merely observing a model, and how observational learning shapes individuals' behaviors. The children who observed the aggressive adult model directly imitated violent tendencies, highlighting the powerful effect of observational learning, while the children who observed a calm adult model or no model at all displayed fewer aggressive behaviors, proving the significant impact role models have on children.
Two years after this experiment, in 1963, Bandura took the experiment a step further by examining the effects of observational learning through media. This time, instead of directly observing aggressive behaviors, children watched these behaviors on a television screen. Some children watched a real adult, while others watched a cartoon character displaying aggressive behaviors toward the Bobo Doll. The results were similar to the first experiment: children imitated the aggressive behaviors they observed. It was shown that observational learning through media such as television and cartoons had the same impact as real-life observations. This highlights the powerful influence of media on individuals and the validity of the observational learning process across different platforms.
Now, let's try to find answers to some questions that are important for us based on these explanations:
What can social learning theory and Bandura’s experiments tell us in the context of conflict? To what extent is our perception of and intervention in conflict related to observational learning? How does social learning theory affect this process?
Or Does Social Learning Theory Also Teach Us How to Conflict?
Conflict can be defined in many different ways. In previous articles, we have discussed various definitions, stages, and types of conflict. At this point, we can speak about a common feature of many conflicts that have passed the potential stage and are no longer latent. This common feature is that conflicts manifest behaviorally. This makes conflict behaviors observable. The point we want to emphasize here is that, as seen in Bandura's experiments, conflicts can not only be experienced by people but can also become an observable phenomenon. Thus, how conflict is perceived and understood can shape itself based on how we observe it. This way, we can evaluate the reality of a conflict from a different perspective solely through observation.
Furthermore, in the second phase of Bandura's 1963 experiment, we saw that the presentation of a behavior through mass media plays a significant role in learning that behavior. In this context, especially how a societal conflict is presented can affect how we perceive it. Our attitudes and behaviors toward conflicts are often shaped by this observation. That is, the ways in which we understand and interpret conflicts are often influenced by the examples of conflict we observe and how the media presents these conflicts.
Shaping Our Intervention in Conflicts Through Social Learning
Our ways of intervening in conflicts can be significantly influenced by behaviors learned through observation, just as in Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment. Let’s recall the experiment: If children observe strong, aggressive reactions to conflicts, these models may shape their approach to handling conflicts similarly. For example, when confronted with conflicts, they might adopt an aggressive, destructive, or conflict-provoking attitude. In this case, observations and how the media presents conflicts become one of the key factors determining how individuals intervene in these conflicts.
This is not only true for children but also for adults. For instance, imagine a society where media discussions are constantly carried out in a harsh tone, with insults and accusations. Individuals may learn conflict management by observing this approach and adopt a similar attitude in their own social relationships. Especially in platforms like social media, where people observe how debates unfold, individuals may internalize adversarial attitudes, become less open to reconciliation, and escalate conflicts rather than resolve them.
The societal shaping of conflict behaviors is another crucial aspect of social learning theory. In a society where a peaceful approach to violent conflicts is adopted, this approach is usually reinforced by the attitudes observed in families, schools, and media. On the other hand, the normalization or legitimization of violent conflicts might happen through media continuously showing examples of conflicts resolved through violence. As seen in Bandura's experiments, these kinds of social norms play an important role in determining how individuals intervene in conflicts and what kinds of attitudes they display. Our ways of intervening in conflicts can be shaped by these norms that we observe and model. In this context, as emphasized in Bandura's experiment, observed behaviors determine how individuals resolve conflicts and can lead to the spread of these approaches at a societal level.
In conclusion, we see that conflicts are directly related to learning processes, and these relationships are shaped through social norms, observations, and media. Our methods of intervening in conflicts are greatly influenced by behaviors learned through observation, just like in Bandura’s Bobo Doll experiment. Observed conflict behaviors in media and society shape individuals' conflict resolution attitudes and approaches. Therefore, the impact of observational learning in addressing conflicts should not be overlooked. The persistence of peaceful or violent behaviors in society can be linked to behaviors learned through observation. Thus, understanding the behaviors individuals will exhibit based on the models they observe plays an important role in developing strategies to cope with conflicts. Carefully examining how the media and society present conflicts and balancing these presentations can contribute to the development of a healthy conflict resolution culture.
Thank you for reading our post! At Conflictus, we eagerly await your feedback and insights.
Tunç Karaçay
Conflictus Conflict Resolution Training and Consultancy
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Reference
Bandura, A. (1961). Transmission of aggression through imitation of aggressive models. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 63(3), 575-582.
Bandura, A. (1963). Social learning and personality development. Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
Zimbardo, P. G., & Gerrig, R. J. (2021). Psychology and life. Nobel Publishing.
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