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14.2.3 Modern Theories of Aggression :
 
The Social Learning Perspective and The General Aggression 
Model : The two most well know modern theories of aggression are 
the social learning perspective and The General Aggression Model. 
We would discuss each of these briefly. 
i. 
The Social Learning Perspective : This is one of the most 
popular theories of aggression. According to it aggression, like 
other complex forms of social behaviour, is largely learned. The 
theoretical position that aggression is learned social behaviour has 
been presented in the writings of Bandura (1973), Baron (1977) 
and Zillmann (1979). The social learning theories have basically 
attempted to see how social models lead to aggression. They have 
studied the effect of viewing violence, especially televised violence. 
The social learning view of aggression also states that through 
direct and vicarious experience we also learn. 
• How to attack others (For, e.g., through guns, blows, sticks, 
etc.). 
• Which persons or groups are appropriate targets for 
aggression? 
• What actions by other either justify or actually require 
aggression retaliation and. 
• What situations or contexts are ones in which aggression is 
appropriate or inappropriate.
Social learning perspective suggests that whether a specific 
person will aggress in a given situation depends on many factors, 
including an individual’s past experience, the current rewards 
associated with past or present aggression and attitudes and 
values that shape an individual’s thoughts concerning the 
appropriateness and potential effects of such behaviour. 
ii. 
The General Aggression Model: The general model of 
aggression was presented by a group of researchers, chief among 

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them is Anderson (1997, 2002). According to this model aggression 
is a result of combination of two factors: (a) situational factors and 
(b) personal factors. We would discuss each of these briefly: