The nature/nurture debate within psychology is concerned with the extent to which particular aspects of behavior are a product of either inherited (genetic) or acquired (learned) characteristics. This exercise will help you explore that debate by looking at one specific behavior, aggression.
Bandura’s (1977) social learning theory states that aggression is learned from the environment through observation and imitation (nurture). He concludes this, in part, from the results of his famous Bobo doll experiment (Bandura, 1961). Review the Bobo experiment here: https://www.simplypsychology.org/bobo-doll.html
Reflect on the following issues:
Where do you stand on the nature/nurture debate? Is aggression a learned behavior? Please provide specific examples to your point of view.
Discuss your thoughts on the experiment and its relevance to the debate. Do you see any potential flaws or underlying factors that may not be reflected in the analysis here?
Suggest at least one implication for society if children do learn predominantly by imitation.
Write a 2–3 page paper (not including the title page and reference page) referencing at least two sources (you may cite the website provided here for the Bobo doll experiment as one of your sources. Refer to the Bobo doll experiment, but do not summarize it.)
Use current APA Style and include a title page and reference page.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Nature/Nurture Debate: Is Aggression a Learned Behavior?
The nature/nurture debate in psychology revolves around the question of whether aspects of behavior are primarily influenced by genetic factors (nature) or environmental factors and learning experiences (nurture). One specific behavior that has been extensively studied in relation to this debate is aggression. This paper will discuss the nature/nurture debate in relation to aggression, explore the relevance of Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment, and suggest implications for society if children predominantly learn through imitation.
Nature vs. Nurture: Aggression as a Learned Behavior
In the nature/nurture debate, I stand on the side that asserts aggression as a predominantly learned behavior shaped by environmental factors and social experiences (nurture). While genetic factors may contribute to individual differences in aggression, research consistently supports the significant role of environmental influences in shaping aggressive behavior.
Specific examples that support the learned nature of aggression can be found in studies examining the impact of family dynamics, cultural norms, and exposure to media violence. For instance, children growing up in households characterized by high levels of conflict and aggression are more likely to display aggressive behaviors themselves. Additionally, cultural norms that condone or promote aggression can influence individuals’ aggressive tendencies. Moreover, extensive research has demonstrated a strong correlation between exposure to media violence and subsequent aggressive behavior in children.
These examples highlight the influence of environmental factors on the development of aggression. They suggest that aggressive behavior is not solely determined by genetic predispositions but rather shaped by socialization processes and learning from the environment.
The Bobo Doll Experiment: Relevance and Potential Flaws
Albert Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment provides valuable insights into the role of observational learning in aggression. The experiment involved exposing children to a model who displayed either aggressive or non-aggressive behavior towards a Bobo doll, and then observing the children’s behavior when given the opportunity to interact with the doll.
The experiment’s relevance lies in its demonstration that children who witnessed aggressive behavior were more likely to imitate that behavior when given the chance. This supports Bandura’s social learning theory, which emphasizes the importance of observational learning and imitation in the acquisition of aggressive behavior.
However, it is important to acknowledge potential flaws and underlying factors that may not be fully captured in the analysis of the Bobo doll experiment. Some critics argue that the laboratory setting may not accurately reflect real-life situations, and that the short-term observation period may not capture long-term effects. Additionally, individual differences in personality traits and other contextual factors may influence how individuals respond to observed aggression.
While these limitations warrant consideration, it is important to recognize that the Bobo doll experiment represents one piece of evidence among a broader body of research supporting the learned nature of aggression. It provides valuable insight into how observational learning can shape behavior, particularly in children who are more susceptible to imitation.
Implications for Society: Learning through Imitation
If children predominantly learn through imitation, there are significant implications for society. One implication is the importance of providing children with positive role models who exhibit pro-social behaviors rather than aggressive behaviors. Parents, educators, and media creators have a responsibility to promote non-violent behavior and provide children with alternative models for resolving conflicts.
Furthermore, understanding the role of imitation in learning can inform interventions aimed at reducing aggression and promoting prosocial behavior. By creating environments that foster positive social interactions and provide opportunities for positive modeling, society can help shape children’s behavior in a way that promotes empathy, cooperation, and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
In conclusion, the nature/nurture debate regarding aggression suggests that aggression is primarily a learned behavior influenced by environmental factors and social experiences. The Bobo doll experiment conducted by Bandura provides support for the role of observational learning in shaping aggressive behavior. While limitations should be acknowledged, this experiment contributes to our understanding of how children learn through imitation. Recognizing the learned nature of aggression has important implications for society, emphasizing the need for positive role models and interventions aimed at reducing aggressive behaviors and promoting prosocial alternatives.
References:
Bandura, A. (1961). Transmission of aggression through imitation of aggressive models. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 63(3), 575-582.
Simply Psychology. (n.d.). Bobo Doll Experiment. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/bobo-doll.html
